Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

51 Inspiring Quotes By Novalis That Will Lift Your Spirits

Famous As: German Romantic Poet and Philosopher Known for His Poems ‘Hymns to the Night’ and ‘Spiritual Songs’
Born On: May 2, 1772
Died On: March 25, 1801
Born In: Wiederstedt, Germany
Died At Age: 28
Georg Philipp Friedrich Freiherr von Hardenberg, popularly known by his pen name Novalis, was a German philosopher, author, poet and mystic. He rose to prominence in the 18th century and is regarded as the most important figure in Early German Romanticism. Novalis was born in an aristocratic family, studied law and then went on to study geology at the Mining Academy of Freiburg. Although he had been trained in geology and law, he made his name as an author and philosopher. He maintained note books and wrote several philosophical books during his life, which came to be broadly associated with Early German Romanticism. Some of his noted works include ‘The Birth of Novalis’, ‘Hymns to the Nights’, ‘Classic and Romantic German Aesthetics’, ‘Fichte Studies’, ‘Novalis: Notes for Romantic Encyclopaedia’, ‘Novalis: Philosophical Writings’ and ‘The Novices of Sais’ etc. Many of Novalis’ work have been translated into English by scholars from all across the world and his works are housed in some of the leading libraries. Here is a collection of quotes and thoughts that have been extracted from the vast sea of writings, novels, books and poems by Novalis. Go through the profound sayings, thoughts and quotes from Novalis’s work and life.
Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason.

Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason.

Novalis
Life must not be a novel that is given to us, but one that is made by us.

Life must not be a novel that is given to us, but one that is made by us.

Novalis
Philosophy is really nostalgia, the desire to be at home.

Philosophy is really nostalgia, the desire to be at home.

Novalis
Where are we really going? Always home.

Where are we really going? Always home.

Novalis
In a work of art, chaos must shimmer through the veil of order.

In a work of art, chaos must shimmer through the veil of order.

Novalis
A hero is one who knows how to hang on one minute longer.

A hero is one who knows how to hang on one minute longer.

Novalis
Every disease is a musical problem; every cure is a musical solution.

Every disease is a musical problem; every cure is a musical solution.

Novalis
The artist stands on the human being as a statue does on a pedestal.

The artist stands on the human being as a statue does on a pedestal.

Novalis
We are close to waking when we dream that we are dreaming.

We are close to waking when we dream that we are dreaming.

Novalis
One should, when overwhelmed by the shadow of a giant, move aside and see if the colossal shadow isn't merely that of a pygmy blocking out the sun.

One should, when overwhelmed by the shadow of a giant, move aside and see if the colossal shadow isn't merely that of a pygmy blocking out the sun.

Novalis
Our life is no dream, but it should and will perhaps become one.

Our life is no dream, but it should and will perhaps become one.

Novalis
Knowledge is only one half. Faith is the other.

Knowledge is only one half. Faith is the other.

Novalis
Humanity is a comic role.

Humanity is a comic role.

Novalis
To philosophize means to make vivid.

To philosophize means to make vivid.

Novalis
One can not understand language because language cannot understand itself; does not want to understand

One can not understand language because language cannot understand itself; does not want to understand

Novalis
Philosophy is really homesickness: the urge to be at home everywhere.

Philosophy is really homesickness: the urge to be at home everywhere.

Novalis
Every individual is the center of a system of emanation.

Every individual is the center of a system of emanation.

Novalis
Humanity is the higher meaning of our planet, the nerve that connects this part of it with the upper world, the eye it raises to heaven.

Humanity is the higher meaning of our planet, the nerve that connects this part of it with the upper world, the eye it raises to heaven.

Novalis
Play is experimenting with chance.

Play is experimenting with chance.

Novalis
Genius in general is poetic. Where genius has been active it has been poetically active. The truly moral person is a poet.

Genius in general is poetic. Where genius has been active it has been poetically active. The truly moral person is a poet.

Novalis
But even more heavenly than the flashing
stars are those infinite eyes which the night opens within us, and which see further even than the palest of those
innumerable hosts.

But even more heavenly than the flashing stars are those infinite eyes which the night opens within us, and which see further even than the palest of those innumerable hosts.

Novalis
There is an energy which springs from sickness and debility: it has a more powerful effect than the real, but, sadly, expires in an even greater infirmity.

There is an energy which springs from sickness and debility: it has a more powerful effect than the real, but, sadly, expires in an even greater infirmity.

Novalis
Perceptibility is a kind of attentiveness.

Perceptibility is a kind of attentiveness.

Novalis
Man has his being in truth--if he sacrifices truth he sacrifices himself. Whoever betrays truth betrays himself. It is not a question of lying--but of acting against one's conviction.

Man has his being in truth--if he sacrifices truth he sacrifices himself. Whoever betrays truth betrays himself. It is not a question of lying--but of acting against one's conviction.

Novalis
And now I awaken, for I am both yours and mine.

And now I awaken, for I am both yours and mine.

Novalis
Longing for Death
Down into the womb of the earth,
Out of the kingdom of light,
Anger, pain, and a savage blow
Signal the happy departure.

Longing for Death Down into the womb of the earth, Out of the kingdom of light, Anger, pain, and a savage blow Signal the happy departure.

Novalis
Novels arise out of the shortcomings of history.

Novels arise out of the shortcomings of history.

Novalis
Our body is a moulded river

Our body is a moulded river

Novalis
Whoever sees life other than as a self-destroying illusion is himself still preoccupied with life.

Life must not be a novel that is given to us, but one that is made by us.

Whoever sees life other than as a self-destroying illusion is himself still preoccupied with life. Life must not be a novel that is given to us, but one that is made by us.

Novalis
The greatest of sorcerers would be the one who would cast a spell on himself to the degree of taking his own phantasmagoria for autonomous apparitions. Might that not be our case?

The greatest of sorcerers would be the one who would cast a spell on himself to the degree of taking his own phantasmagoria for autonomous apparitions. Might that not be our case?

Novalis