1772-1829, German Philosopher, Critic, Writer
A critic is a reader who ruminates. Thus, he should have more than one stomach.
Friedrich Schlegel – [Critics and Criticism]
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 Schlegel – [Aphorisms and Epigrams]
Every uneducated person is a caricature of himself.
Friedrich Schlegel – [Education]
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 Schlegel – [Genius]
Good drama must be drastic.
Friedrich Schlegel – [Theater]
In actual life every great enterprise begins with and takes its first forward step in faith.
Friedrich Schlegel – [Faith]
Irony is the form of paradox. Paradox is what is good and great at the same time.
Friedrich Schlegel – [Irony]
It is peculiar to mankind to transcend mankind.
Friedrich Schlegel – [Humankind]
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 Schlegel – [Innocence]
Virtue is reason which has become energy.
Friedrich Schlegel – [Virtue]
What is called good society is usually nothing but a mosaic of polished caricatures.
Friedrich Schlegel – [Society]