27 quotes and reflections by Hermann Hesse

A compilation of the German writer's famous thoughts and quotes.

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

A novelist, painter and philosopher, the German Hermann Hesse won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1946, after a lifetime devoted after a lifetime devoted to literature.

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 because he was not allowed to have 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, "Canciones románticas" (Romantic Songs), but it sold only a few copies. However, his luck changed with the publication of "Peter Camenzind", in 1904, and from that moment on he was able to dedicate himself body and soul to writing.

Hermann Hesse's Famous Thoughts and Phrases

A figure often branded as elusive and sullen, Hesse had a reputation for having a complicated character. Several of his masterpieces came in his maturity: "Demian" (1919), "Siddhartha" (1922), "The Steppenwolf" (1927) or "The Glass 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 an enviable prose made him one of the most read writers in modern history.

In this article we will reproduce some of his famous phrases and quotes.

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

A quote from Hermann Hesse that reminds us to 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 with other souls.

4. It should not be our goal to become someone else, but to recognize others, to honor others for simply being the way they are.

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

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

The human being and his need to go beyond the 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 your environment will generate some resistance and misgivings.

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

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

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

Power and authority figures are still a social construct.

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

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 compilation of phrases on 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 the mere fact of expressing it, its size will diminish.

12. Perhaps people like us are not capable of love. Ordinary people are... that's their secret.

A disturbing sentence about the ability to express love.

13. Every man's life is a way to himself, the attempt of a way, the outline of a path.

A poetic reflection on the destiny of every human being.

14. We are only frightened 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 in their image something that is within us.

In this reflection, Hesse talks about psychological projection.

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

Gregariousness, one of the great 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 weary and dusty, and halted and doubtful is behind me the youth, who lowers his beautiful head and refuses to accompany me.

Extract from one of his most famous poems.

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

A phrase that shows us the dreamer and idealist 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 aimlessness, 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 the one who possesses it, but the one who can love and adore it.

Among his works, reflections on beauty are a constant.

23. Happiness is love, nothing 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.

In spite of its liquid aspect, water, with time, is capable of polishing the hard rock.

25. If in order to have fun you need the permission of others, then you are truly a poor devil.

Everyone must be able to find his own space for leisure.

26. Without words, writing and books there would be no history, and no concept of humanity.

The importance of the transmission of knowledge is embodied in this sentence.

27. Words do not express our thoughts very well. They always mutate a little after they are expressed, and show themselves a little distorted, a little silly.

With this famous quote from Hermann Hesse we end today's compilation.

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