1,099 Quotes by Hermann Hesse

When two cultures collide is the only time when true suffering exists.

We can understand one another; but each one is able to explain only himself.

All over, people were seeking “freedom” and “happiness” somewhere behind themselves, out of the sheer fear of being reminded of their own responsibilities and being admonished to travel their own path.

What is the world doing? Have new gods been discovered, new laws, new freedoms? Who cares! But up here a primrose is blossoming and bearing silver fuzz on its leaves, and the light sweet wind is singing below me in the poplars, and between my eyes and heaven a dark golden bee is hovering and humming – I care about that. It is humming the song of happiness, humming the song of eternity. Its song is my history of the world.

He lost himself a thousand times and for days one end he dwelt in nonbeing. But although the paths took him away from self, in the end they always led back to it.

Nothing was, nothing will be, everything has reality and presence.

I have no desire to walk on water,” said Siddhartha. “Let the old shramanas satisfy themselves with such skills.

If a person were to concentrate all his will power on a certain end, then he would achieve it. That’s all.

No one liked him, no one was on intimate terms with him... he was a good person but took no particular trouble to please anyone.