Friedrich Schiller

Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain.

Disappointments are to the soul what a thunderstorm is to the air.

Wouldst thou know thyself, observe the actions of others. Wouldst thou other men know, look thou within thine own heart.

Joy, in Nature's wide dominion,
Mightiest cause of all is found;
And 'tis joy that moves the pinion,
When the wheel of time goes round

What the inner voice says
Will not disappoint the hoping soul.

Dare to be wise! Energy and spirit is needed to overcome the obstacles which indolence of nature as well as cowardice of heart oppose to our instruction. It is not without significance that the old myth makes the goddess of Wisdom emerge fully armed from the head of Jupiter; for her very first function is warlike. Even in her birth she has to maintain a hard struggle with the senses, which do not want to be dragged from their sweet repose. The greater part of humanity is too much harassed and fatigued by the struggle with want, to rally itself for a new and sterner struggle with error. Content if they themselves escape the hard labor of thought, men gladly resign to others the guardianship of their ideas, and if it happens that higher needs are stirred in them, they embrace with a eager faith the formulas which State and priesthood hold in readiness for such an occasion.

While the gods remained more human, the men were more divine.

Drum prüfe, wer sich ewig bindet, ob sich das Herz zum Herzen findet! Der Wahn ist kurz, die Reu ist lang.

Grosse Seelen dulden still.

In thy breast are the stars of thy fate.

Anmut ist die Schönheit der Gestalt unter dem Einfluss der Freiheit.

When the wine goes in, strange things come out.

Ihr wißt nicht, schwache Seelen,
Was ein beleidigt Mutterherz vermag.
Ich liebe, wer mir gutes tut und hasse
Wer mich verletzt, und ist's der eigene Sohn,
Den ich geboren, desto hassenswerter.

Ode to Joy

Joy, beautiful spark of Divinity,
Daughter of Elysium,
We enter, drunk with fire,
Heavenly one, thy sanctuary!
Thy magic binds again
What custom strictly divided;*
All people become brothers,*
Where thy gentle wing abides.

Whoever has succeeded in the great attempt,
To be a friend's friend,
Whoever has won a lovely woman,
Add his to the jubilation!
Yes, and also whoever has just one soul
To call his own in this world!
And he who never managed it should slink
Weeping from this union!

All creatures drink of joy
At nature's breasts.
All the Just, all the Evil
Follow her trail of roses.
Kisses she gave us and grapevines,
A friend, proven in death.
Salaciousness was given to the worm
And the cherub stands before God.

Gladly, as His suns fly
through the heavens' grand plan
Go on, brothers, your way,
Joyful, like a hero to victory.

Be embraced, Millions!
This kiss to all the world!
Brothers, above the starry canopy
There must dwell a loving Father.
Are you collapsing, millions?
Do you sense the creator, world?
Seek him above the starry canopy!
Above stars must He dwell.

Ein einziger Tropfen Hass, der im Becher des Glücks bleibt, verwandelt das glücklichste Getränk in Gift.