Friedrich von Schiller (1759 – 1805)
Usually known as Friedrich Schiller, was a German poet, historian, dramatist, and playwright.
We are citizens of an age, as well as of a State; and if it is held to be unseemly, or even inadmissable, for a man to cut himself off from the customs and manners of the circle in which he lives, why should it be less of a duty, in the choice of his activity, to submit his decision to the needs and the taste of his century?
Appearance should never attain reality,
And if nature conquers, then must art retire.
Life is only error,
And death is knowledge.
What is the short meaning of the long speech?
Have faith! where'er thy bark is driven,—
'The calm's disport, the tempest's mirth,—
Know this! God rules the host of heaven,
The inhabitants of earth.
We shall be a single People of brethren,
Never to part in danger nor distress.
We shall be free, just as our fathers were,
And rather die than live in slavery.
We shall trust in the one highest God
And never be afraid of human power.
Whatever is not forbidden is permitted.
Only through Beauty's morning gate, dost thou enter the land of Knowledge.
Das Leben ist Nur ein Moment, der Tod ist auch nur einer!
Lo, the dead shall rise to heaven!
Brethren hail the blest decree;
Every sin shall be forgiven,
Hell forever cease to be!
They have founded the whole structure of their happiness on these very illusions, which ought to be combated and dissipated by the light of knowledge, and they would think they were paying too dearly for a truth which begins by robbing them of all that has value in their sight. It would be necessary that they should be already sages to love wisdom: a truth that was felt at once by him to whom philosophy owes its name.
Love is only known by him who hopelessly persists in love.
This feat of Tell, the archer, will be told
While yonder mountains stand upon their base.
By heaven! The apple's cleft right through the core.
He, that noble prize possessing—
He that boasts a friend that's true,
He whom woman's love is blessing,
Let him join the chorus too!
It is through beauty that we arrive at freedom.
I have only an office here, and no opinion.