Jean Paul (1763 – 1825)
Influential German novelist and short-story writer.
A timid person is frightened before a danger, a coward during the time, and a courageous person afterward.
In later life, as in earlier, only a few persons influence the formation of our character; the multitude pass us by like a distant army. One friend, one teacher, one beloved, one club, one dining table, one work table are the means by which one's nation and the spirit of one's nation affect the individual.
Do not wait for extraordinary circumstances to do good; try to use ordinary situations.
A man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes another's.
Lift thyself up, look. around, and see something higher and brighter than earth, earthworms, and earthly darkness.
Our birthdays are feathers in the broad wing of time.
How calmly may we commit ourselves to the hands of Him who bears up the world!
What a father says to his children is not heard by the world, but it will be heard by posterity.
The miracles of earth are the laws of heaven.
The German language is the organ among the languages. (Die deutsche Sprache ist die Orgel unter den Sprachen.)
The wish falls often warm upon my heart that I may learn nothing here that I cannot continue in the other world; that I may do nothing here but deeds that will bear fruit in heaven.
Flowers never emit so sweet and strong a fragrance as before a storm. When a storm approaches thee, be as fragrant as a sweet-smelling flower.
Only actions give life strength; only moderation gives it a charm.
Never part without loving words to think of during your absence. It may be that you will not meet again in life.
Music is the moonlight in the gloomy night of life.
The grandest of heroic deeds are those which are performed within four walls and in domestic privacy.
Has it never occurred to us, when surrounded by sorrows, that they may be sent to us only for our instruction, as we darken the cages of birds when we wish to teach them to sing?
The life of Christ concerns Him who, being the holiest among the mighty, and the mightiest among the holy, lifted with His pierced hand empires off their hinges, and turned the stream of centuries out of its channel, and still governs the ages.
Suffering is my gain; I bow
To my Heavenly Father's will,
And receive it hushed and still;
Suffering is my worship now.
The last, best fruit that comes to perfection, even in the kindliest soul, is tenderness toward the hard; forbearance toward the unforbearing; warmth of heart toward the cold; and philanthropy toward the misanthropic.