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.

Who dares nothing, need hope for nothing.

The will of man is his happiness.

Peace is rarely denied to the peaceful.

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

Art is the daughter of freedom.

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

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

Power is the most persuasive rhetoric.

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

Happy he who learns to bear what he cannot change.

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

Keep true to the dreams of your youth.

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

A gloomy guest fits not a wedding feast.

Every true genius is bound to be naive.

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

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

Will it, and set to work briskly.

Freedom can occur only through education.

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

Mankind is made great or little by its own will.

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

Full of wisdom are the ordinations of fate.

No emperor has the power to dictate to the heart.

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.

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

The key to education is the experience of beauty.

The strong man is strongest when alone.