199 Quotes by Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

If the essence of cynicism consists in preferring nature to art, virtue to beauty and science; in not bothering about the letter of things -- to which the Stoic strictly adheres -- but in looking up to the spirit of things; in absolute contempt of all economic values and political splendor, and in courageous defence of the rights of independent freedom; then Christianity would be nothing but universal cynicism.

Only he who possesses a personal religion, an original view of infinity, can be an artist.

What do the few existing mystics still do? -- They more or less mold the raw chaos of already existing religion. But only in an isolated, insignificant manner, through feeble attempts. Do it in a grand manner from all aspects with unified efforts, and let us awaken all religions from their graves, newly revivify and form the immortal ones through the omnipotence of art and science.

To disrespect the masses is moral; to honor them, lawful.

Poetry should describe itself, and always be simultaneously poetry and the poetry of poetry.

Laziness is the one divine fragment of a godlike existence left to man from paradise.

All artists are self-sacrificing human beings, and to become an artist is nothing but to devote oneself to the subterranean gods.

One of two things is usually lacking in the so-called Philosophy of Art: either philosophy or art.

When ideas become gods, consciousness of harmony becomes devotion, humility, and hope.