The quotations of

Hermann Hesse

Nobel Prize winning German-Swiss poet, novelist and painter

1877–1962

25 quotes, most often on Love, Life & Death and Time.

It may be important to great thinkers to examine the world, to explain and despise it. But I think it is only important to love the world, not to despise it, not for us to hate each other, but to be able to regard the world and ourselves and all beings with love, admiration and respect.
Siddhartha (1922)
- Love
- Philosophy
In each individual the spirit has become flesh, in each man the creation suffers, within each one a redeemer is nailed to the cross.
Demian (1919), p. 9. Prologue
- Religion
We cannot evade life’s course, but we can school ourselves to be superior to fortune and also to look unflinchingly upon the most painful things.
Gertrude (1910), p. 236
- Courage
- Life & Death
Love of one’s neighbour is not possible without love of oneself, and that self-hate is really the same thing as sheer egoism, and in the long run breeds the same cruel isolation and despair.
Steppenwolf (1927), PrefaceIn context
- Love
They are made for life, not for thought. Yes, and he who thinks, what’s more, he who makes thought his business, he may go far in it, but he has bartered the solid earth for the water all the same, and one day he will drown.
Steppenwolf (1927), PrefaceIn context
- Thinking
Human life is reduced to real suffering, to hell, only when two ages, two cultures and religions overlap.
Steppenwolf (1927), PrefaceIn context
- Change
- History
I am in truth the Steppenwolf that I often call myself; that beast astray who finds neither home nor joy nor nourishment in a world that is strange and incomprehensible to him.
Steppenwolf (1927), Harry Haller’s RecordsIn context
- Character
Solitude is independence. It had been my wish and with the years I had attained it. It was cold.
Steppenwolf (1927), Harry Haller’s RecordsIn context
- Freedom
As a body everyone is single, as a soul never.
Steppenwolf (1927), Treatise on the SteppenwolfIn context
- Philosophy
One day I would be a better hand at the game. One day I would learn how to laugh. Pablo was waiting for me, and Mozart too.
Steppenwolf (1927), Harry Haller’s Records (continued) (6 of 6)In context
- Laughter

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