199 Quotes by Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

The need to raise itself above humanity is humanity's main characteristic.

Kant introduced the concept of the negative into philosophy. Would it not also be worthwhile to try to introduce the concept of the positive into philosophy?

The following are the universally fundamental laws of literary communication: 1. one must have something to communicate; 2. one must have someone to whom to communicate it; 3. one must really communicate it, not merely express it for oneself alone. Otherwise it would be more to the point to remain silent.

Mysteries are feminine; they like to veil themselves but still want to be seen and divined.

There are three kinds of explanation in science: explanations which throw a light upon, or give a hint at a matter; explanations which do not explain anything; and explanations which obscure everything.

Nothing is more witty and grotesque than ancient mythology and Christianity; that is because they are so mystical.

Every form of life is in its origin not natural, but divine and human; for it must spring from love, just as there can be no reason without spirit.

An artist is he for whom the goal and center of life is to form his mind

The history of imitation of the older literature, particularly abroad, has among other advantages this one, that the important concepts of unintentional parody and passive wit can be deduced from it most easily and comprehensively.