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Creation
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The innermost meaning of sacrifice is the annihilation of the finite just because it is finite. In order to demonstrate that this is the only purpose, the most noble and beautiful must be chosen; above all, man, the fulfillment of the earth. Human sacrifices are the most natural sacrifices. Man, however, is more than the fulfillment of the earth; he is reasonable, and reason is free and nothing but an eternal self-determination toward the infinite. Thus man can sacrifice only himself, and that is what he does in the omnipresent sanctissimum of which the masses are not aware. All artists are self-sacrificing human beings, and to become an artist is nothing but to devote oneself to the subterranean gods. The meaning of divine creation is primarily revealed in the enthusiasm of annihilation. Only in the throes of death is the spark of eternal life ignited.
-Friedrich Von Schlegel
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Criticism
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A critic is a reader who ruminates. Thus, he should have more than one stomach.
-Friedrich Von Schlegel
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Education
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Every uneducated person is a caricature of himself.
-Friedrich Von Schlegel
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Faith
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In actual life every great enterprise begins with and takes its first forward step in faith.
-Friedrich Von Schlegel
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Genius
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Genius is, to be sure, not a matter of arbitrariness, but rather of freedom, just as wit, love, and faith, which once shall become arts and disciplines. We should demand genius from everybody, without, however, expecting it.
-Friedrich Von Schlegel
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Humanity
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It is peculiar to mankind to transcend mankind.
-Friedrich Von Schlegel
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Innocence
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Prudishness is pretense of innocence without innocence. Women have to remain prudish as long as men are sentimental, dense, and evil enough to demand of them eternal innocence and lack of education. For innocence is the only thing which can ennoble lack of education.
-Friedrich Von Schlegel
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Irony
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Irony is the form of paradox. Paradox is what is good and great at the same time.
-Friedrich Von Schlegel
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Proverbial Wisdom
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An aphorism ought to be entirely isolated from the surrounding world like a little work of art and complete in itself like a hedgehog.
-Friedrich Von Schlegel
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Society
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What is called good society is usually nothing but a mosaic of polished caricatures.
-Friedrich Von Schlegel
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Theater
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Good drama must be drastic.
-Friedrich Von Schlegel
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Virtue
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Virtue is reason which has become energy.
-Friedrich Von Schlegel
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Books by and about Friedrich Von Schlegel