Wilhelm von Humboldt Quotes

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Wilhelm von Humboldt

Profession : Philosopher

Birth : June 22, 1767

I am more and more convinced that our happiness or our unhappiness depends far more on the way we meet the events of life than on the nature of those events themselves.

Wilhelm von Humboldt

However great an evil immorality may be, we must not forget that it is not without its beneficial consequences. It is only through extremes that men can arrive at the middle path of wisdom and virtue.

Wilhelm von Humboldt

True enjoyment comes from activity of the mind and exercise of the body; the two are ever united.

Wilhelm von Humboldt

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

If we glance at the most important revolutions in history, we see at once that the greatest number of these originated in the periodical revolutions on the human mind.

Wilhelm von Humboldt

Language makes infinite use of finite media.

Wilhelm von Humboldt

How a person masters his fate is more important than what his fate is.

Wilhelm von Humboldt

The government is best which makes itself unnecessary.

Wilhelm von Humboldt

Wherever the citizen becomes indifferent to his fellows, so will the husband be to his wife, and the father of a family toward the members of his household.

Wilhelm von Humboldt

War seems to be one of the most salutary phenomena for the culture of human nature; and it is not without regret that I see it disappearing more and more from the scene.

Wilhelm von Humboldt

It is usually more important how a man meets his fate than what it is.

Wilhelm von Humboldt

Only what we have wrought into our character during life can we take with us.

Wilhelm von Humboldt