Friedrich Schiller on New Year
1759–1805 Germany
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10 quotes
There are three lessons I would write, —
Three words — as with a burning pen,
In tracings of eternal light
Upon the hearts of men.
Yet tremble at the slow, silent power of time.
Day follows on the murkiest night, and, when the time comes, the latest fruits will ripen.
Let no one despair, even though in the darkest night the last star of hope may disappear.
Eternity gives nothing back of what one leaves out of the minutes.
Man must have some fears, hopes, and cares, for the coming morrow.
Who knows what may be slumbering in the background of time!
Time flies on restless pinions—constant never.
Be constant—and thou chainest time forever.
Threefold the stride of Time, from first to last!
Loitering slow, the Future creepeth —
Arrow-swift, the Present sweepeth —
And motionless forever stands the Past.
Joy, in Nature's wide dominion,
Mightiest cause of all is found;
And 'tis joy that moves the pinion,
When the wheel of time goes round
An die Freude (Ode to Joy; or Hymn to Joy) (1785)