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Hermann Hesse

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The old man slowly raised himself from the piano stool, fixed those cheerful blue eyes piercingly and at the same time with unimaginable friendliness upon him, and said: "Making music together is the best way for two people to become friends. There is none easier. That is a fine thing. I hope you and I shall remain friends. Perhaps you too will learn how to make fugues, Joseph.
From The Glass Bead Game
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Topic: Happiness, Philosophical
I believe that I am not responsible for the meaningfulness or meaninglessness of life, but that I am responsible for what I do with the life I've got.
From Verliebt in die verrückte Welt: Betrachtungen, Gedichte, Erzählungen, Briefe
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Topic: Life
They both listened silently to the water, which to them was not just water, but the voice of life, the voice of Being, the voice of perpetual Becoming.
From Siddhartha
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Topic: Life
We fear death, we shudder at life's instability, we grieve to see the flowers wilt again and again, and the leaves fall, and in our hearts we know that we, too, are transitory and will soon disappear. When artists create pictures and thinkers search for laws and formulate thoughts, it is in order to salvage something from the great dance of death, to make something last longer than we do.
From Narcissus and Goldmund
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Topic: Death
You've never lived what you are thinking, and that isn't good. Only the ideas we actually live are of any value.
From Demian: Die Geschichte von Emil Sinclairs Jugend
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Topic: Life
I began to understand that suffering and disappointments and melancholy are there not to vex us or cheapen us or deprive us of our dignity but to mature and transfigure us.
From Peter Camenzind
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Topic: Life
I hope death will be a great happiness, a happiness as great as that of love, fulfilled love
From Narcissus and Goldmund
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Topic: Death, Happiness, Philosophical
I do want more. I am not content with being happy. I was not made for it. It is not my destiny. My destiny is the opposite.
From Steppenwolf
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Topic: Happiness
Not in his speech, not in his thoughts, I see his greatness, only in his actions, in his life.
From Siddhartha
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Topic: Life
For the first time in my life I tasted death, and death tasted bitter, for death is birth, is fear and dread of some terrible renewal.
From Demian: Die Geschichte von Emil Sinclairs Jugend
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Topic: Death
[…] he still closes his eyes to the truth, refusing to acknowledge that clinging desperately to the notion of self, desperately wanting not to die, is the surest route to eternal death. On the other hand, the ability to die, to slough off one’s skin like a snake, to commit oneself to incessant self-transformation is what leads the way to immortality.
From Steppenwolf
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Topic: Motivational
Times of terror and the deepest misery may arrive, but if there is to be any happiness in this misery it can only be a spiritual happiness, related to the past in the rescue of the culture of early ages and to the future in a serene and indefatigable championship of the spirit in a time which would otherwise completely swallow up the material.
From The Glass Bead Game
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Topic: Happiness
Ich werde stehen und warten.
Ich werde müde werden.
Ich werde nicht einschlafen.
Ich werde sterben.
From Siddhartha
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Topic: Death
Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth.
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Topic: Philosophical
My goal is this: always to put myself in the place in which I am best able to serve, wherever my gifts and qualities find the best soil to grow, the widest field of action. There is no other goal.
From Narcissus and Goldmund
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Topic: Inspirational
At the very point where images cease, philosophy begins.
From Narcissus and Goldmund
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Topic: Philosophical
I have always believed, and I still believe, that whatever good or bad fortune may come our way we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value.
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Inspirational
It may be important to great thinkers to examine the world, to explain and despise it. But I think it is only important to love the world, not to despise it, not for us to hate each other, but to be able to regard the world and ourselves and all beings with love, admiration and respect.
From Siddhartha
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Topic: Philosophical
Learn what is to be taken seriously and laugh at the rest.
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Topic: Philosophical
When someone is seeking,” said Siddartha, “It happens quite easily that he only sees the thing that he is seeking; that he is unable to find anything, unable to absorb anything, because he is only thinking of the thing he is seeking, because he has a goal, because he is obsessed with his goal. Seeking means: to have a goal; but finding means: to be free, to be receptive, to have no goal. You, O worthy one, are perhaps indeed a seeker, for in striving towards your goal, you do not see many things that are under your nose.
From Siddhartha
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Topic: Life
If only there were a dogma to believe in. Everything is contradictory, everything is tangential; there are no certainties anywhere. Everything can be interpreted one way and then again interpreted in the opposite sense. The whole of world history can be explained as development and progress and can also be seen as nothing but decadence and meaninglessness. Isn't there any truth? Is there no real and valid doctrine?" Joseph Knect said to his Music Master "there is truth, my boy. But the doctrine you desire, absolute perfect dogma that alone provides wisdom, does not exist. Nor should you long for a perfect doctrine, my friend rather, you should long for perfection in yourself. The deity is within you, not in ideas and books. Truth is lived not taught
From The Glass Bead Game
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Topic: Religion
In eternity there is no time, only an instant long enough for a joke.
From Steppenwolf
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Topic: Funny
The old man slowly raised himself from the piano stool, fixed those cheerful blue eyes piercingly and at the same time with unimaginable friendliness upon him, and said: "Making music together is the best way for two people to become friends. There is none easier. That is a fine thing. I hope you and I shall remain friends. Perhaps you too will learn how to make fugues, Joseph.
From The Glass Bead Game
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Happiness, Philosophical
I believe that I am not responsible for the meaningfulness or meaninglessness of life, but that I am responsible for what I do with the life I've got.
From Verliebt in die verrückte Welt: Betrachtungen, Gedichte, Erzählungen, Briefe
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Life
They both listened silently to the water, which to them was not just water, but the voice of life, the voice of Being, the voice of perpetual Becoming.
From Siddhartha
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Life
We fear death, we shudder at life's instability, we grieve to see the flowers wilt again and again, and the leaves fall, and in our hearts we know that we, too, are transitory and will soon disappear. When artists create pictures and thinkers search for laws and formulate thoughts, it is in order to salvage something from the great dance of death, to make something last longer than we do.
From Narcissus and Goldmund
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Death
You've never lived what you are thinking, and that isn't good. Only the ideas we actually live are of any value.
From Demian: Die Geschichte von Emil Sinclairs Jugend
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Life
I began to understand that suffering and disappointments and melancholy are there not to vex us or cheapen us or deprive us of our dignity but to mature and transfigure us.
From Peter Camenzind
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Life
I hope death will be a great happiness, a happiness as great as that of love, fulfilled love
From Narcissus and Goldmund
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Death, Happiness, Philosophical
I do want more. I am not content with being happy. I was not made for it. It is not my destiny. My destiny is the opposite.
From Steppenwolf
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Happiness
Not in his speech, not in his thoughts, I see his greatness, only in his actions, in his life.
From Siddhartha
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Life
For the first time in my life I tasted death, and death tasted bitter, for death is birth, is fear and dread of some terrible renewal.
From Demian: Die Geschichte von Emil Sinclairs Jugend
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Death
[…] he still closes his eyes to the truth, refusing to acknowledge that clinging desperately to the notion of self, desperately wanting not to die, is the surest route to eternal death. On the other hand, the ability to die, to slough off one’s skin like a snake, to commit oneself to incessant self-transformation is what leads the way to immortality.
From Steppenwolf
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Motivational
Times of terror and the deepest misery may arrive, but if there is to be any happiness in this misery it can only be a spiritual happiness, related to the past in the rescue of the culture of early ages and to the future in a serene and indefatigable championship of the spirit in a time which would otherwise completely swallow up the material.
From The Glass Bead Game
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Happiness
Ich werde stehen und warten.
Ich werde müde werden.
Ich werde nicht einschlafen.
Ich werde sterben.
From Siddhartha
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Death
Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth.
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Philosophical
My goal is this: always to put myself in the place in which I am best able to serve, wherever my gifts and qualities find the best soil to grow, the widest field of action. There is no other goal.
From Narcissus and Goldmund
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Inspirational
At the very point where images cease, philosophy begins.
From Narcissus and Goldmund
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Philosophical
I have always believed, and I still believe, that whatever good or bad fortune may come our way we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value.
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Inspirational
It may be important to great thinkers to examine the world, to explain and despise it. But I think it is only important to love the world, not to despise it, not for us to hate each other, but to be able to regard the world and ourselves and all beings with love, admiration and respect.
From Siddhartha
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Philosophical
Learn what is to be taken seriously and laugh at the rest.
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Philosophical
When someone is seeking,” said Siddartha, “It happens quite easily that he only sees the thing that he is seeking; that he is unable to find anything, unable to absorb anything, because he is only thinking of the thing he is seeking, because he has a goal, because he is obsessed with his goal. Seeking means: to have a goal; but finding means: to be free, to be receptive, to have no goal. You, O worthy one, are perhaps indeed a seeker, for in striving towards your goal, you do not see many things that are under your nose.
From Siddhartha
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Life
If only there were a dogma to believe in. Everything is contradictory, everything is tangential; there are no certainties anywhere. Everything can be interpreted one way and then again interpreted in the opposite sense. The whole of world history can be explained as development and progress and can also be seen as nothing but decadence and meaninglessness. Isn't there any truth? Is there no real and valid doctrine?" Joseph Knect said to his Music Master "there is truth, my boy. But the doctrine you desire, absolute perfect dogma that alone provides wisdom, does not exist. Nor should you long for a perfect doctrine, my friend rather, you should long for perfection in yourself. The deity is within you, not in ideas and books. Truth is lived not taught
From The Glass Bead Game
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Religion
In eternity there is no time, only an instant long enough for a joke.
From Steppenwolf
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Funny
The old man slowly raised himself from the piano stool, fixed those cheerful blue eyes piercingly and at the same time with unimaginable friendliness upon him, and said: "Making music together is the best way for two people to become friends. There is none easier. That is a fine thing. I hope you and I shall remain friends. Perhaps you too will learn how to make fugues, Joseph.
From The Glass Bead Game
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Happiness, Philosophical
I believe that I am not responsible for the meaningfulness or meaninglessness of life, but that I am responsible for what I do with the life I've got.
From Verliebt in die verrückte Welt: Betrachtungen, Gedichte, Erzählungen, Briefe
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Life
They both listened silently to the water, which to them was not just water, but the voice of life, the voice of Being, the voice of perpetual Becoming.
From Siddhartha
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Life
We fear death, we shudder at life's instability, we grieve to see the flowers wilt again and again, and the leaves fall, and in our hearts we know that we, too, are transitory and will soon disappear. When artists create pictures and thinkers search for laws and formulate thoughts, it is in order to salvage something from the great dance of death, to make something last longer than we do.
From Narcissus and Goldmund
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Death
You've never lived what you are thinking, and that isn't good. Only the ideas we actually live are of any value.
From Demian: Die Geschichte von Emil Sinclairs Jugend
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Life
I began to understand that suffering and disappointments and melancholy are there not to vex us or cheapen us or deprive us of our dignity but to mature and transfigure us.
From Peter Camenzind
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Life
I hope death will be a great happiness, a happiness as great as that of love, fulfilled love
From Narcissus and Goldmund
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Death, Happiness, Philosophical
I do want more. I am not content with being happy. I was not made for it. It is not my destiny. My destiny is the opposite.
From Steppenwolf
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Happiness
Not in his speech, not in his thoughts, I see his greatness, only in his actions, in his life.
From Siddhartha
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Life
For the first time in my life I tasted death, and death tasted bitter, for death is birth, is fear and dread of some terrible renewal.
From Demian: Die Geschichte von Emil Sinclairs Jugend
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Death
[…] he still closes his eyes to the truth, refusing to acknowledge that clinging desperately to the notion of self, desperately wanting not to die, is the surest route to eternal death. On the other hand, the ability to die, to slough off one’s skin like a snake, to commit oneself to incessant self-transformation is what leads the way to immortality.
From Steppenwolf
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Motivational
Times of terror and the deepest misery may arrive, but if there is to be any happiness in this misery it can only be a spiritual happiness, related to the past in the rescue of the culture of early ages and to the future in a serene and indefatigable championship of the spirit in a time which would otherwise completely swallow up the material.
From The Glass Bead Game
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Happiness
Ich werde stehen und warten.
Ich werde müde werden.
Ich werde nicht einschlafen.
Ich werde sterben.
From Siddhartha
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Death
Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth.
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Philosophical
My goal is this: always to put myself in the place in which I am best able to serve, wherever my gifts and qualities find the best soil to grow, the widest field of action. There is no other goal.
From Narcissus and Goldmund
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Inspirational
At the very point where images cease, philosophy begins.
From Narcissus and Goldmund
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Philosophical
I have always believed, and I still believe, that whatever good or bad fortune may come our way we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value.
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Inspirational
It may be important to great thinkers to examine the world, to explain and despise it. But I think it is only important to love the world, not to despise it, not for us to hate each other, but to be able to regard the world and ourselves and all beings with love, admiration and respect.
From Siddhartha
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Philosophical
Learn what is to be taken seriously and laugh at the rest.
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Philosophical
When someone is seeking,” said Siddartha, “It happens quite easily that he only sees the thing that he is seeking; that he is unable to find anything, unable to absorb anything, because he is only thinking of the thing he is seeking, because he has a goal, because he is obsessed with his goal. Seeking means: to have a goal; but finding means: to be free, to be receptive, to have no goal. You, O worthy one, are perhaps indeed a seeker, for in striving towards your goal, you do not see many things that are under your nose.
From Siddhartha
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Life
If only there were a dogma to believe in. Everything is contradictory, everything is tangential; there are no certainties anywhere. Everything can be interpreted one way and then again interpreted in the opposite sense. The whole of world history can be explained as development and progress and can also be seen as nothing but decadence and meaninglessness. Isn't there any truth? Is there no real and valid doctrine?" Joseph Knect said to his Music Master "there is truth, my boy. But the doctrine you desire, absolute perfect dogma that alone provides wisdom, does not exist. Nor should you long for a perfect doctrine, my friend rather, you should long for perfection in yourself. The deity is within you, not in ideas and books. Truth is lived not taught
From The Glass Bead Game
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Religion
In eternity there is no time, only an instant long enough for a joke.
From Steppenwolf
Avg Rating: --Rate This Quote
Topic: Funny