The things of the world are ever rising and falling, and in perpetual change; and this change must be according to the… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
Whatever does not spring from a man's free choice, or is only the result of instruction and guidance, does not enter into… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
However great an evil immorality may be, we must not forget that it is not without its beneficial consequences. It is only… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
If we reason that we want happiness for others, not for ourselves, then we ought justly to be suspected of failing to… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
Besides the pleasure derived from acquired knowledge, there lurks in the mind of man, and tinged with a shade of sadness, an… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
Women are in this respect more fortunate than men, that most of their employments are of such a nature that they can… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
In every remodelling of the present, the existing condition of things must be supplanted by a new one. Now every variety of… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
The finest fruit earth holds up to its Maker is a finished man. — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
Man is more disposed to domination than freedom; and a structure of dominion not only gladdens the eye of the master who… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
Government, religion, property, books, are nothing but the scaffolding to build men. Earth holds up to her master no fruit like the… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
Governmental regulations all carry coercion to some degree, and even where they don't, they habituate man to expect teaching, guidance and help… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
Reason cannot desire for man any condition other than that in which not only every individual enjoys the most absolute, unbounded freedom… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
It is an absolutely vain endeavor to attempt to reconstruct or even comprehend the nature of a human being by simply knowing… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
A man must seek his happiness and inward peace from objects which cannot be taken away from him. — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
In the moral world there is nothing impossible if we can bring a thorough will to it. Man can do everything with… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
To judge a man means nothing more than to ask: What content does he give to the form of humanity? What concept… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
Man is naturally more disposed to beneficent than selfish actions. This we learn even from the history of savages. The domestic virtues… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
Work is as much a necessity to man as eating and sleeping. Even those who do nothing that can be called work… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
Among men who are really free, every form of industry becomes more rapidly improved - all the arts flourish more gracefully -… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
All political arrangements, in that they have to bring a variety of widely-discordant interests into unity and harmony, necessarily occasion manifold collisions.… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
Every man, however good he may be, has a yet better man dwelling in him, which is properly himself, but to whom… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
I lay very little stress either upon asking or giving advice. Generally speaking, they who ask advice know what they wish to… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
The more a man acts on his own, the more he develops himself. In large associations he is too prone to become… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
No matter how good or great a man may be, there is yet a better and a greater man within him. — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
The things of the world are ever rising and falling, and in perpetual change; and this change must be according to the will of… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
Whatever does not spring from a man's free choice, or is only the result of instruction and guidance, does not enter into his very… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
However great an evil immorality may be, we must not forget that it is not without its beneficial consequences. It is only through extremes… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
To behold, is not necessary to observe, and the power of comparing and combining is only to be obtained by education. It is much… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
The mere reality of life would be inconceivably poor without the charm of fancy, which brings in its bosom, no doubt, as many vain… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
We cannot assume the injustice of any actions which only create offense, and especially as regards religion and morals. He who utters or does… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
If it were not somewhat fanciful to suppose that every human excellence is presented, as it were, in one kind of being, we might… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
If we reason that we want happiness for others, not for ourselves, then we ought justly to be suspected of failing to recognize human… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
Besides the pleasure derived from acquired knowledge, there lurks in the mind of man, and tinged with a shade of sadness, an unsatisfactory longing… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
Even sleep is characteristic. How beautiful are children in their lovely innocence! how angel-like their blooming features! and how painful and anxious is the… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
To inquire and to create; these are the grand centres around which all human pursuits revolve, or at least to these objects do they… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
Women are in this respect more fortunate than men, that most of their employments are of such a nature that they can at the… — Wilhelm von Humboldt Copy Share Image
