Faust Quotes
"The desire to be as God, looking into the soul of things, and commanding the mystical machinery of the universe, is the rank outblossoming of an unchastened intellectual ambition."
"This kicking against the bars of finite knowledge is of course rebellion against the constitution of things."
"To scorn all limit and regulation in the exercise of our social instincts is to practice systematic selfishness."
"The man who could find no pleasure in existence, except in the gratification of an unnatural passion, could end only as he ended."
"For such characters a strolling life is at once a pleasure and a necessity."
"Since the time of his death, not only Germany, but England, France, and Holland, have swarmed with 'prodigious and lamentable histories.'"
"The wondrous exploits of Faust are endless, and it would be an endless task to recount the tithe of them."
"Let us ask now what materials this story possesses, which have so recommended it to the genius of modern Europe for a high dramatic treatment."
"It is well known to the literary public that the author of Faust always looked upon this production as only the first part of the great 'Divina Comedia,' with which he was to enrich the literature of his century."
"No talk of moons! this earth for mighty deeds Hath scope enough: the man who dares succeeds."
"Give me the free, unshackled pinion, The height of joy, the depth of pain, Strong hate, and stronger love’s dominion; O give me back my youth again!"
"The magic breath that wafts your airy train Stirs in my breast long-slumbering chords again."
"Old pangs return; life’s labyrinthine maze Again the plaint of sorrow wanders through."
"Strength drink the angels from his glory, Though none may throughly search his way."
"And when, in love and mercy strong, His God and Saviour meets him, The angel-choir, to join their throng, With hearty welcome greets him."
"But stand ashamed at last, when thou shalt see An honest man, ’mid all his strivings dark, Finds the right way, though lit but by a spark."
"The ever-active striving soul Works out its own salvation."
"The world of spirits is not barred; Thy sense is shut, thy heart is dead! Up, scholars, bathe your hearts so hard, In the fresh dew of morning’s red!"
"Harmonious all through the great All resounding!"
"I glow as I had drunk new wine. New strength I feel to plunge into the strife, And bear the woes and share the joys of life."
"The true name it bears? The noble few that something better knew, And to the gross reach of the general view, Their finer feelings bared, and insight true, From oldest times were burnt and crucified."
"What you don’t feel, you’ll hunt to find in vain. It must gush from the soul, possess the brain, And with an instinct kindly force compel All captive hearts to own the grateful spell."
"Then let pleasure and pain, Loss and gain, Joy and sorrow, alternate chime!"
"The godlike essence of our heaven-born powers Must yield to strange and still more strange intrusion; Soon as the good things of this world are ours, We deem our nobler self a vain illusion, And heaven-born instincts—very life of life— Are strangled in the low terrestrial strife."
"All that mankind of pain and of enjoyment May taste, with them to taste be my employment; Their deepest and their highest I will sound, Want when they want, be filled when they abound, My proper self unto their self extend, And with them too be wrecked, and ruined in the end."
"The future world will soon enough arise, When the present in ruin lies; ’Tis from this earth my stream of pleasure flows, This sun it is that shines upon my woes."
"Trust one of us—this universe so bright, He made it only for his own delight; Supreme He reigns, in endless glory shining, To utter darkness me and mine consigning, And grudges ev’n to you the day without the night."
"One look from thee, one word, delights me more than all the world’s high-vaunted lore."
"My rest is gone, my heart is sore; peace find I never, and never more."
"Who dares pronounce His name? And who proclaim—I do believe in God? May’st ask thy priests and sages all, their answer seems like mockery to fall upon the asker’s ear."
"The All-embracer, the All-upholder, grasps and upholds He not thee, me, Himself?"
"To yield us to an ecstasy of joy, and feel this tranceful bliss must be eternal! yes! its end would be despair! No end—no end for thee and me!"
"What boots it to cut short the way? Through the long labyrinth of vales to wend, these rugged mountain-steeps to climb, and hear the gushing waters’ ceaseless chime, no better seasoning on my wish to-day could wait, to make the Brocken banquet prime!"
"When others dance 'tis his to prize; each step he cannot criticise had as well not been made."
"The people here seem ripe for Doom’s day; I suspect the world is now on its last legs; and, since mine own good cask is running dry, men and their ways, I guess, are near the dregs!"
"For apples your sire in Paradise and primal dame had longing eyes: and, if your eyes are wise to see, you’ll find such apples on my tree."
"Snout of fly, and nose of gnat, lead on the band before us! Frog and cricket, cat and bat, join merry in the chorus!"
"We insects keep them all in awe, With sharpest scissors shear we!"
"See! how in merry circles they Sit gossiping together; The graceless crew have hearts, they say, As good as any other."
"This witch and wizard crew to lead, My willing fancy chooses; More hopeful field is here indeed, Than when I lead the Muses."
"I let no one bamboozle me With doubts and critic cavils; The devil sure must something be, Else whence so many devils?"
"Imagination travels free Without or rein or rule here; If I am all that now I see, Myself must be a fool here."
"That on the Brocken ghosts appear Now scarce admits disputing; Amid this hurly burly here I’ve fairly lost my footing."
"Into this swarming hellish brood I come, without intrusion; From evil spirits to the good, It is a just conclusion."
"They chase the flame that flits about, And deem them near their treasure; Best rhymes with doubt this demon-rout, And I look on with pleasure."
"Sans-souci is hight the crew On limber limbs that ply it; When on our feet it will not do, Then on our heads we try it."
"With once or twice a lucky throw We tramped the road together; But now we flounder on, and show Our toes outside the leather!"
"Though born but with the sultry ray This morn, in the morass all, Yet now, amid the gallants gay, We shine here and surpass all."
"Last night I shot from starry sky And fell upon my nose here; Will no one come where flat I lie, And plant me on my toes here?"
"Why tramp ye so majestical As cub of river-horse is? The plumpest spirit of you all Stout Puck himself of course is."
"If loving Nature’s bounteous care Hath fitted you with pinions, Then cleave with me the yielding air To rosy bright dominions."
"The mist draws off, and overhead All clear and bright the air is, And with the rustling breeze are fled The devils and the fairies!"