Wilhelm von Humboldt

How a person masters his fate is more important than what his fate is.

— Wilhelm von Humboldt

The sea has been called deceitful and treacherous, but there lies in this trait only the character of a great natural power,…

— Wilhelm von Humboldt

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

The very variety arising from the union of numbers of individuals is the highest good which social life can confer, and this…

— Wilhelm von Humboldt

When we ... devote ourselves to the strict and unsparing performance of duty, ihen happiness comes of itself.

— Wilhelm von Humboldt

Possession, it is true, crowns exertion with rest; but it is only in the illusions of fancy that it has power to…

— Wilhelm von Humboldt

Happiness is so nonsynonymous with joy or pleasure that it is not infrequently sought and felt in grief and deprivation.

— Wilhelm von Humboldt

The state should avoid all solicitude for the positive welfare of its citizens, and not proceed a step further than is necessary…

— Wilhelm von Humboldt

Map reconciles himself to almost any event, however trying, if it happens in the ordinary course of nature. It is the extraordinary…

— Wilhelm von Humboldt

True enjoyment comes from activity of the mind and exercise of the body; the two are ever united.

— Wilhelm von Humboldt

The sorrow which calls for help and comfort is not the greatest, nor does it come from the depths of the heart.

— Wilhelm von Humboldt

Coercion may prevent many transgressions; but it robs even actions which are legal of a part of their beauty. Freedom may lead…

— Wilhelm von Humboldt

All situations in which the interrelationships between extremes are involved are the most interesting and instructive.

— Wilhelm von Humboldt

The government is best which makes itself unnecessary.

— Wilhelm von Humboldt

Among men who are really free, every form of industry becomes more rapidly improved - all the arts flourish more gracefully -…

— Wilhelm von Humboldt

“To judge a man means nothing other than to ask: What content does he give to the form of humanity? What concept…

— Wilhelm Von Humboldt

It is resignation and contentment that are best calculated to lead us safely through life. Whoever has not sufficient power to endure…

— Wilhelm von Humboldt

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

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

Real inward devotion knows no prayer but that arising from the depths of its own feelings.

— Wilhelm von Humboldt

“All growth toward perfection is but a returning to original existence.”

— Wilhelm Von Humboldt

Life, in all ranks and situations, is an outward occupation, an actual and active work.

— Wilhelm von Humboldt

Language makes infinite use of finite media.

— Wilhelm von Humboldt

Faith can be interested in results only, for a truth once recognized as such puts an end to the believer's thinking.

— Wilhelm von Humboldt

However benevolent may be the intentions of Providence, they do not always advance the happiness of the individual. Providence has always higher…

— Wilhelm von Humboldt