27 Phrases and Reflections by Hermann Hesse

Hermann Hesse (1877 – 1962) was one of the most prominent thinkers of the 20th century.

German novelist, painter and philosopher Hermann Hesse won the Nobel Prize for

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in 1946 after a lifetime dedicated to letters.

Who was Hermann Hesse?

Even as a child, Hesse showed a predilection for poetry. He even escaped from an evangelical seminary where he was studying since he was not allowed access to literary works and poetry.

Some time later he developed as a bookseller. At the end of 1898 he published his first collection of poems, “Romantic Songs,” but it only sold a few copies. However, his luck changed following the publication of “Peter Camenzind” in 1904, and from that moment on he was able to dedicate himself body and soul to writing.

Famous phrases and thoughts by Hermann Hesse

A figure often described as elusive and reclusive, Hesse had a reputation for having a complicated character. Several of his masterpieces came in his maturity: “Demian” (1919), “Siddharta” (1922), “Steppenwolf” (1927) or “The Bead Game” (1943) make up what are, perhaps , his most acclaimed books.

His work has been translated into more than 50 languages ​​and has been the subject of study by philosophers and psychologists His interest in the spiritual world led him to write about the values ​​of Western society. A fluid and brilliant thought, with enviable prose made him one of the most read writers in modern history.

In this article we are going to reproduce some of his famous phrases and quotes.

1. What can I tell you that might be useful to you, except that maybe you are looking for something so hard that you manage to find nothing?

A phrase from Hermann Hesse that reminds us that we must let things flow.

2. There are millions of facets of truth, but only one truth.

Opinions about reality should not be confused with reality itself.

3. As bodies, we are all single, as souls, no one is.

We all have links to other souls.

4. Our goal should not be to become someone else, but rather to recognize others, to honor others for the simple fact of being who they are.

Human relationships and their tensions and conflicts could be resolved by applying this Hessian maxim.

5. The bird fights until it manages to get out of the egg. The egg is his world. Every living being should try to destroy the world.

The human being and his need to go beyond established limits.

6. People with character and courage always seem sinister in the eyes of others.

If you have very clear goals in life, it is likely that certain resistance and misgivings will arise in your environment.

7. When someone who really needs something finds it, it is not chance that finds it, but he himself. His own desire and his own need lead him to it.

A famous phrase by Hermann Hesse that tells us about positive mentality and the internal locus of control.

8. When we fear someone it is because we have given that someone power over us.

Power and authority figures are still a social construct.

9. Eternity is a mere instant, long enough to joke about.

A reflection on time that reveals his philosophy of life.

10. Happiness is a ‘how’, not a ‘what’. It is a talent, not an object.

This thought by Hermann Hesse could well appear in our collection of phrases about happiness.

11. Anything seems a little smaller when it has been said out loud.

When we share a doubt or a problem, it is likely that, just by expressing it, its size will decrease.

12. Maybe people like us are not capable of love. Ordinary people are capable… that’s their secret.

A disturbing phrase about the ability to express love.

13. The life of each man is a path towards himself, the attempt at a path, the outline of a path.

A poetic reflection on the destiny of each human being.

14. We are only scared when we do not feel in harmony with ourselves.

Self-esteem problems can anchor us in the comfort zone.

15. When we hate someone, we hate something that is inside us in their image.

In this reflection, Hesse tells us about psychological projection.

16. Those who do not know how to govern themselves are constantly looking for a leader to worship.

Gregarism, one of the big problems that arise when there is no critical thinking.

17. Knowledge can be transmitted, but not wisdom.

Wisdom can be experienced and enjoyed, but there is no way to teach it to others.

18. I make my way tired and dusty, and youth remains stopped and doubtful behind me, lowering its beautiful head and refusing to accompany me.

Extract from one of his most famous poems.

19. Any human being is capable of achieving impossible things if any of his ideals are threatened.

A phrase that shows us the dreamy and idealistic character of Hesse.

20. There are those who consider themselves perfect, but it is only because they demand less of themselves.

Narcissism may have a connection with goallessness, according to Hermann Hesse.

21. Divinity is in you, not in concepts or books.

With this sentence, the German author invites us to reflect.

22. Beauty does not make happy those who possess it, but those who can love and adore it.

Among his works, reflections on beauty are a constant.

23. Happiness is love, not something else. He who knows how to love is happy.

Little more to add to this beautiful reflection.

24. Water is stronger than rock, love is stronger than violence.

Despite its liquid appearance, water, over time, is capable of polishing the hard rock.

25. If you need permission from others to have fun, then you are truly a poor devil.

Everyone has to be able to find their own leisure space.

26. Without words, without writing and without books, there would be no History, and there could be no concept of humanity.

The importance of the transmission of knowledge is captured in this phrase.

27. Words do not express our thoughts well at all. They always mutate a little after being expressed, and appear a little distorted, a little silly.

With this famous quote from Hermann Hesse we finish today’s compilation.

We hope you found the thoughts of this German writer interesting.