No matter how good or great a man may be, there is yet a better and a greater man within him. Wilhelm von Humboldt More Quotes by Wilhelm von Humboldt More Quotes From 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 ends in view, and works in a pre-eminent degree on the inner feelings and disposition. Wilhelm von Humboldt degreesviewsfeelings Joy mingled with sadness, even with grief, is the deepest human joy. It winds itself about the soul with indescribable sweetness, with a dim but unerring sense for what will some day be born of it. Wilhelm von Humboldt sadnessgriefwind It is usually more important how a man meets his fate than what it is. Wilhelm von Humboldt fateimportantmen 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 depthsorrowheart Results are nothing; the energies which produce them and which again spring from them are everything. Wilhelm von Humboldt resultsenergyspring Even by means of our sorrows we belong to the eternal plan. Wilhelm von Humboldt planssorrowmean Government, religion, property, books, are nothing but the scaffolding to build men. Earth holds up to her master no fruit like the finished man. Wilhelm von Humboldt earthmenbook Coercion may prevent many transgressions; but it robs even actions which are legal of a part of their beauty. Freedom may lead to many transgressions, but it lends even to vices a less ignoble form. Wilhelm von Humboldt vicescoercionbeauty Providence certainly does not favor just certain individuals, but the deep wisdom of its counsel, instruction and ennoblement extends to all. Wilhelm von Humboldt favorsgoddoe When we ... devote ourselves to the strict and unsparing performance of duty, ihen happiness comes of itself. Wilhelm von Humboldt strictperformancesduty If we reason that we want happiness for others, not for ourselves, then we ought justly to be suspected of failing to recognize human nature for what it is and of wishing to turn men into machines. Wilhelm von Humboldt machineswishmen The government is best which makes itself unnecessary. Wilhelm von Humboldt unnecessarygovernment I lay very little stress either upon asking or giving advice. Generally speaking, they who ask advice know what they wish to do, and remain firm to their intentions. A man may allow himself to be enlightened on various points, even upon matters of expediency and duty; but, after all, he must determine his course of action, for himself. Wilhelm von Humboldt stressgivingmen 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 resultsendsthinking Freedom is but the possibility of a various and indefinite activity; while government, or the exercise of dominion, is a single, yet real activity. The longing for freedom, therefore, is at first only too frequently suggested by the deep-felt consciousness of its absence. Wilhelm von Humboldt freedomrealexercise Only what we have wrought into our character during life can we take with us. Wilhelm von Humboldt character Man is more disposed to domination than freedom; and a structure of dominion not only gladdens the eye of the master who rears and protects it, but even its servants are uplifted by the thought that they are members of a whole, which rises high above the life and strength of single generations. Wilhelm von Humboldt eyemenlife Possession, it is true, crowns exertion with rest; but it is only in the illusions of fancy that it has power to charm us. Wilhelm von Humboldt crownsfancypower Reason cannot desire for man any condition other than that in which not only every individual enjoys the most absolute, unbounded freedom to develop himself out of himself, in true individuality, but in which physical nature, as well, need receive no other shaping by human hands than that which is given to her voluntarily by each individual, according to the measure of his wants and his inclinations, restricted only by the limits of his energy and his rights. Wilhelm von Humboldt rightsmenhands The very variety arising from the union of numbers of individuals is the highest good which social life can confer, and this variety is undoubtedly lost in proportion to the degree of State interference. Wilhelm von Humboldt unionsdegreesnumbers
