Novalis quotes - page 3

Many counterrevolutionary books have been written in favor of the Revolution. But Burke has written a revolutionary book against the Revolution. (Novalis)
What is Nature? An encyclopedical, systematic Index or Plan of our Spirit. Why will we content us with the mere catalogue of our Treasures? Let us contemplate them ourselves, and in all ways elaborate and use them.
Novalis
The division of Philosopher and Poet is only apparent, and to the disadvantage of both. It is a sign of disease, and of a sickly constitution.
Novalis
Pure mathematics is religion.
Novalis
Someone arrived there - who lifted the veil of the goddess, at Sais. - But what did he see? He saw - wonder of wonders - himself.
Novalis
Self-alienation is the source of all degradation as well as, on the contrary, the basis of all true elevation. The first step will be a look inward, an isolating contemplation of our self. Whoever remains standing here proceeds only halfway. The second step must be an active look outward, an autonomous, determined observation of the outer world.
Novalis
Surely this voice meant our Teacher; for it is he that can collect the indications which lie scattered on all sides. A singular light kindles in his looks, when at length the high Rune lies before us, and he watches in our eyes whether the star has yet risen upon us, which is to make the Figure visible and intelligible.
Novalis
Life is a disease of the spirit; a working incited by Passion. Rest is peculiar to the spirit.
Novalis
If our Bodily Life is a burning, our Spiritual Life is a being burnt, a Combustion (or, is precisely the inverse the case?); Death, therefore, perhaps a Change of Capacity.
Novalis
True anarchy is the generative element of religion. Out of the annihilation of all existing institutions she raises her glorious head, as the new foundress of the world.
Novalis
No explanation is required for Holy Writing. Whoso speaks truly is full of eternal life, and wonderfully related to genuine mysteries does his Writing appear to us, for it is a Concord from the Symphony of the Universe. (Novalis)
Nature too remains, so far as we have yet come, ever a frightful Machine of Death: everywhere monstrous revolution, inexplicable vortices of movement; a kingdom of Devouring, of the maddest tyranny; a baleful Immense: the few light-points disclose but a so much the more appalling Night, and terrors of all sorts must palsy every observer.
Novalis
I shall in no time forget that moment. We felt as if we had had in our souls a clear passing glimpse into this wondrous World.
Novalis
The spirit of Poesy is the morning light, which makes the Statue of Memnon sound.
Novalis
Plants are Children of the Earth; we are Children of the Æther. Our Lungs are properly our Root; we live, when we breathe; we begin our life with breathing.
Novalis
Poets and priests were one in the beginning, and they only separated in later times. But the real poet is always a priest, just as the real priest always remains a poet.
Novalis
We are more closely connected to the invisible than to the visible.
Novalis
The artist belongs to their work, not the work to the artist.
Novalis
Character and fate are two words for the same thing.
Novalis
We never completely comprehend ourselves, but we can do far more than comprehend.
Novalis
Only as far as a man is happily married to himself is he fit for married life and family life in general. (Novalis)
I often feel, and ever more deeply I realize, that fate and character are the same conception.
Novalis
Christianity is the root of all democracy, the highest fact in the rights of men.
Novalis
The possibility of all philosophy ... namely, that the intelligence, by affecting itself, gives itself a movement in accordance with its own law - that is, gives itself a form of activity all its own.
Novalis
We dream of travels throughout the universe: is not the universe within us? We do not know the depths of our spirit. The mysterious path leads within. In us, or nowhere, lies eternity with its worlds, the past and the future.
Novalis