Quotes & anectdotes from
the wise,
the foolish,
the courageous &
the drunk

Friedrich Schiller Philosopher

  • Gender: Male
  • Citizenship: Germany
  • Born: Nov 10, 1759
  • Died: May 9, 1805

Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller was a German poet, philosopher, historian, and playwright. During the last seventeen years of his life, Schiller struck up a productive, if complicated, friendship with already famous and influential Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. They frequently discussed issues concerning aesthetics, and Schiller encouraged Goethe to finish works he left as sketches. This relationship and these discussions led to a period now referred to as Weimar Classicism. They also worked together on Xenien, a collection of short satirical poems in which both Schiller and Goethe challenge opponents to their philosophical vision.

No emperor has the power to dictate to the heart.

Every true genius is bound to be naive.

It is difficult to discriminate the voice of truth from amid the clamor raised by heated partisans.

The will of man is his happiness.

Aesthetic matters are fundamental for the harmonious development of both society and the individual.

In the society, where people are just parts in a larger machine, individuals are unable to develop fully.

Full of wisdom are the ordinations of fate.

Power is the most persuasive rhetoric.

Utility is the great idol of the age, to which all powers must do service and all talents swear allegiance.

Mankind is made great or little by its own will.

Who dares nothing, need hope for nothing.

They would need to be already wise, in order to love wisdom.

Lose not yourself in a far off time, seize the moment that is thine.

Grace is the beauty of form under the influence of freedom.

Peace is rarely denied to the peaceful.

That which is so universal as death must be a benefit.

Happy he who learns to bear what he cannot change.

He who has done his best for his own time has lived for all times.

Revenge is barren of itself: it is the dreadful food it feeds on its delight is murder, and its end is despair.

The history of the world is the world's court of justice.

A gloomy guest fits not a wedding feast.

The strong man is strongest when alone.

Will it, and set to work briskly.

Art is the right hand of Nature. The latter has only given us being, the former has made us men.

The key to education is the experience of beauty.

There is room in the smallest cottage for a happy loving pair.

Freedom can occur only through education.

Art is the daughter of freedom.

Keep true to the dreams of your youth.