"Had Mephistopheles conferred no other service on Faust than easing him for a while of his cloak of learning, the doctor would have had little cause for despair. But the act of awaking is regulated by different principles from those which govern the act of going to sleep. In the former case, the hand of force is often necessary. Life points out with an iron staff the path which each individual should follow. Happy is the man who sees this staff, and follows the path; instead of tarrying by the way until weary, and, incapable of further exertion, he sinks bleeding to the ground. A high degree of mental culture, or a delicate tact, possessed by few, are required to distinguish the necessity of earnestness, or even of pain, in the midst of enjoyment."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
P. 112
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Ernst%2C_Baron_von_Feuchtersleben
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Ernst, Baron von Feuchtersleben
Ernst Maria Johann Karl Freiherr von Feuchtersleben (29 April 1806 – 3 September 1849), was an Austrian physician, poet and philosopher.
20 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Ernst, Baron von Feuchtersleben →
Related Quotes
"We live in stormy and unsettled times. Hence we may confer a benefit, not only on ourselves, but on others, by divert…"
"We have aimed at popularity in the best sense of that term. The truly popular writer never sinks into the vulgar crow…"
"Our minds are so constituted that a change of objects brings nearly as much relief as actual repose."
"Those views of life which deify pleasure are less likely to yield it."
"It is not enough to contemplate ourselves objectively; we must also treat ourselves objectively."
"The man dissatisfied with the world will be dissatisfied with himself, so as to be continually eaten up by his own il…"
"We cannot avoid moodiness; but we may turn to account, as does the poet, the various dispositions of the mind, or giv…"
"It has been well remarked of the poems of Hafiz, that their refreshing influence does not depend so much on the sense…"
"Composition, even when we have no idea of appearing in print, is an excellent dietetic tonic. ... The best and quicke…"
"True philosophy is a living wisdom, for which there is no death."