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Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel Quotes

Poet

Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel was a German poet known for his significant contributions to Romantic literature. His works deeply influenced the development of German literature, particularly in the realms of poetry and drama.

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Famous Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel Quotes

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

Way Artist Views Originals Individuality Infinity

Author:Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

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

Humans Self Artist Human Beings Sacrifice Oneself

Author:Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

“In many a poetic work, one gets here and there, instead of representation merely a title indicating that this or that was supposedto be represented here, that the artist has been prevented from doing it and most humbly asks to be kindly excused.”

Has Beens Poetry Artist Asks Poet Titles Poetic Representation Here And There

Author:Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

“Since poetry is infinitely valuable, I do not understand why it should be more valuable than this or that which is also infinitelyvaluable. There are artists who perhaps do not think art to be too great, for this is impossible, and yet they are not free enough to be able to rise above their own best accomplishments.”

Thinking Should Art Enough Able Poetry Artist Impossible Poet Valuable Accomplishment Poetry Is Rise Above

Author:Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

“If one believes philosophers, then what we call religion is only a deliberately popularized or an instinctively artless philosophy. Poets seem to consider religion rather as a variation of poetry which by misjudging its proper beautiful game takes itself too seriously and one-sidedly. Philosophy, however, admits and recognizes that it can begin and complete itself only with religion. Poetry seeks only to strive for the infinite and despises worldly utility and culture, which are the true antitheses of religion. Eternal peace among artists is thus not far away.”

“As long as the artist invents and is inspired, he remains in a constrained state of mind, at least for the purpose of communication. He then wants to say everything, which is the wrong tendency of young geniuses or the right prejudice of old bunglers. Thus, he fails to recognize the value and dignity of self-restraint, which is indeed for both the artist and the man the first and the last, the most necessary and the highest goal.”

“One mentions many artists who are actually art works of nature.”

Art Artist Nature Work

Author:Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

“The life of the artist should be distinguished from that of all other people, even in external habits. They are Brahmins, a higher caste, not ennobled by birth, however, but through deliberate self-initiation.”

People Should Self Artist Birth Habit Deliberate Distinguished Initiation Brahmins

Author:Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

“Can we expect the redemption of the world from scholars? I doubt it. But the time has come for all artists to join together as a confederation in an eternal league.”

World Together Artist Doubt Eternal Redemption League Scholar Confederation

Author:Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

“An artist is he who has his center within himself. He who lacks this must choose a particular leader and mediator outside of himself, not forever, however, but only at first. For man cannot exist without a living center, and if he does not have it within himself, he may seek it only in a human being. Only a human being and his center can stimulate and awaken that of another.”

Ifs Men Firsts Humans May Doe Artist Human Beings Leader Forever Particular Mediators

Author:Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

“Through artists mankind becomes an individual, in that they unite the past and the future in the present. They are the higher organ of the soul, where the life spirits of entire external mankind meet and in which inner mankind first acts.”

Firsts Soul Past Spirit Artist Individual Mankind Higher Organs

Author:Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

“Even a friendly conversation which cannot be at any given moment be broken off voluntarily with complete arbitrariness has something illiberal about it. An artist, however, who is able and wants to express himself completely, who keeps nothing to himself and would wish to say everything he knows, is very much to be pitied.”

Knows Want Moments Able Artist Given Wish Broken Conversation Friendly

Author:Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

“Art and works of art do not make an artist; sense and enthusiasm and instinct do.”

Art Artist Instinct Enthusiasm Works Of Art Folk Art

Author:Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

“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.”

Men Wells Two Might Artist Literature Respect Ridiculous Grotesque

Author:Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

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

Mind Form Life Is Artist Goal Artistic

Author:Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

About the Author

Died: January 12, 1829
Known for: Poet
Quotes: 187

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