FICHTE, Immanuel Hermann Quotes
(1797-1879), German philosopher
Life was not given for indolent contemplation and study of self, nor for brooding over emotions of piety: actions and actions only determine the worth.
My mind can take no hold on the present world nor rest in it a moment, but my whole nature rushes onward with irresistible force toward a future and better state of being.
To be happy is not the purpose of our being, but to deserve happiness.
As often as I hear of some undeserved wretchedness, my thoughts rest on that world where all will be made straight, and where the labors of sorrow will end in joy.
Here below is not the land of happiness; it is only the land of toil; and every joy which comes to us is only to strengthen us for some greater labor that is to succeed.
Humanity may endure the loss of everything; all its possessions may be torn away without infringing its true dignity—all but the possibility of improvement.
Our system of thought and opinion, is often only the history of our heart. Men do not so much will according to their reason, as reason according to their will.
If we cannot live so as to be happy, let us at least live so as to deserve it.
Not alone to know, but to act according to thy knowledge, is thy destination, proclaims the voice of thy inmost soul. Not for indolent contemplation and study of thyself, nor for brooding over emotions of piety—no, for action was existence given thee; thy actions, and thy actions alone, determine thy worth.
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