All men are somewhat ridiculous and grotesque, just because they are men and in this respect artists might well be regarded as man multiplied by two. So it is, was, and shall be.

Strictly speaking, the idea of a scientific poem is probably as nonsensical as that of a poetic science.

Form your life humanly, and you have done enough: but you will never reach the height of art and the depth of science without something divine.

Religion can emerge in all forms of feeling: here wild anger, there the sweetest pain here consuming hatred, there the childlike smile of serene humility.

What is called good society is usually nothing but a mosaic of polished caricatures.