Charlie Kaufman
American filmmaker and novelist
Friedrich Schiller was a prominent German playwright, poet, philosopher, and historian. He was considered one of Germany’s most important classical playwrights and had a productive friendship with the famous Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, leading to the Weimar Classicism period. Schiller wrote successful plays like ‘The Robbers’ and historical works during his career.
Table of Contents
Occupation
Family Info
Siblings
Christophine Reinwald
Spouses
Charlotte von Lengefeld
Children
Emilie von Gleichen-Russwurm
Ernst von Schiller
Karl von Schiller
Caroline Junot
About the Friedrich Schiller
Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schillerwas a German playwright, poet, philosopher and historian. Schiller is considered by most Germans to be Germany’s most important classical playwright.
He was born in Marbach to a devoutly Protestant family. Initially intended for the priesthood, in 1773 he entered a military academy in Stuttgart and ended up studying medicine. His first play, The Robbers, was written at this time and proved very successful. After a brief stint as a regimental doctor, he left Stuttgart and eventually wound up in Weimar. In 1789, he became professor of History and Philosophy at Jena, where he wrote historical works.
During the last seventeen years of his life (1788-1805), Schiller developed a productive, if complicated, friendship with the already famous and influential Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. They frequently discussed issues concerning aesthetics, and Schiller encouraged Goethe to finish works that he had left as sketches. This relationship and these discussions led to a period now referred to as Weimar Classicism. Together they founded the Weimar Theater.
They also worked together on Xenien, a collection of short satirical poems in which both Schiller and Goethe challenge opponents of their philosophical vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Friedrich Schiller was a German playwright, poet, philosopher, and historian who was considered one of Germany’s most important classical playwrights.
Schiller’s most famous works include the play ‘The Robbers’ and historical writings. He also had a productive friendship with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, leading to the Weimar Classicism period.
Schiller’s relationship with the famous Goethe led to a period of Weimar Classicism, where the two frequently discussed aesthetics and Schiller encouraged Goethe to finish works he had left unfinished.
Schiller was born in Marbach, Germany to a devoutly Protestant family. He was initially intended for the priesthood but ended up studying medicine at a military academy in Stuttgart.
Schiller wrote his first successful play, ‘The Robbers’, while studying at the military academy in Stuttgart. This established him as a prominent playwright early in his career.
Later in his career, Schiller became a professor of History and Philosophy at the University of Jena, where he wrote historical works in addition to his literary output.
Schiller was considered by most Germans to be the country’s most important classical playwright, cementing his legacy as a literary giant in German culture.
68 Quotes by Friedrich Schiller
- 1.
Against stupidity the very gods themselves contend in vain.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 2.
Grace is the beauty of form under the influence of freedom.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 3.
The greater part of humanity is too much harassed and fatigued by the struggle with want, to rally itself for a new and sterner struggle with error.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 4.
Will it, and set to work briskly.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 5.
A gloomy guest fits not a wedding feast.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 6.
The voice of the majority is no proof of justice.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 7.
With stupidity the gods themselves struggle in vain.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 8.
In the society, where people are just parts in a larger machine, individuals are unable to develop fully.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 9.
Revenge is barren of itself: it is the dreadful food it feeds on; its delight is murder, and its end is despair.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 10.
The world is ruled only by consideration of advantages.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 11.
Lose not yourself in a far off time, seize the moment that is thine.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 12.
Keep true to the dreams of your youth.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 13.
Great souls suffer in silence.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 14.
There is no such thing as chance; and what seem to us merest accident springs from the deepest source of destiny.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 15.
Man only plays when in the full meaning of the word he is a man, and he is only completely a man when he plays.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 16.
Art is the right hand of Nature. The latter has only given us being, the former has made us men.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 17.
They would need to be already wise, in order to love wisdom.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 18.
Live with your century; but do not be its creature.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 19.
I am better than my reputation.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 20.
Be noble minded! Our own heart, and not other men’s opinions of us, forms our true honor.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 21.
Power is the most persuasive rhetoric.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 22.
Art is the daughter of freedom.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 23.
Freedom can occur only through education.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 24.
Votes should be weighed not counted.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 25.
The rich become richer and the poor become poorer is a cry heard throughout the whole civilized world.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 26.
Not without a shudder may the human hand reach into the mysterious urn of destiny.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 27.
To gain a crown by fighting is great, to reject it divine.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 28.
No doubt the artist is the child of his time; but woe to him if he is also its disciple, or even its favorite.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 29.
Mankind is made great or little by its own will.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 30.
Full of wisdom are the ordinations of fate.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 31.
Who dares nothing, need hope for nothing.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 32.
The history of the world is the world’s court of justice.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 33.
No emperor has the power to dictate to the heart.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 34.
A noble heart will always capitulate to reason.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 35.
Dare to err and to dream. Deep meaning often lies in childish plays.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 36.
Every true genius is bound to be naive.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 37.
Of all the possessions of this life fame is the noblest; when the body has sunk into the dust the great name still lives.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 38.
The key to education is the experience of beauty.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 39.
Happy he who learns to bear what he cannot change.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 40.
It is criminal to steal a purse, daring to steal a fortune, a mark of greatness to steal a crown. The blame diminishes as the guilt increases.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 41.
The jest loses its point when he who makes it is the first to laugh.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 42.
There is room in the smallest cottage for a happy loving pair.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 43.
All things must; man is the only creature that wills.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 44.
As freely as the firmament embraces the world, or the sun pours forth impartially his beams, so mercy must encircle both friend and foe.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 45.
Knowledge, the object of knowledge and the knower are the three factors which motivate action; the senses, the work and the doer comprise the threefold basis of action.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 46.
Appearance rules the world.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 47.
The will of man is his happiness.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 48.
Disappointments are to the soul what a thunderstorm is to the air.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 49.
He who considers too much will perform little.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 50.
Opposition always inflames the enthusiast, never converts him.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 51.
It does not prove a thing to be right because the majority say it is so.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 52.
Aesthetic matters are fundamental for the harmonious development of both society and the individual.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 53.
Peace is rarely denied to the peaceful.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 54.
It is often wise to reveal that which cannot be concealed for long.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 55.
Posterity weaves no garlands for imitators.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 56.
A merely fallen enemy may rise again, but the reconciled one is truly vanquished.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 57.
It is difficult to discriminate the voice of truth from amid the clamor raised by heated partisans.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 58.
Utility is the great idol of the age, to which all powers must do service and all talents swear allegiance.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 59.
He who has done his best for his own time has lived for all times.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 60.
It hinders the creative work of the mind if the intellect examines too closely the ideas as they pour in.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 61.
Nothing leads to good that is not natural.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 62.
Honesty prospers in every condition of life.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 63.
The strong man is strongest when alone.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 64.
Worthless is the nation that does not gladly stake its all on its honor.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 65.
The universe is one of God’s thoughts.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 66.
That which is so universal as death must be a benefit.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 67.
It is easy to give advice from a port of safety.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)
- 68.
To save all we must risk all.
Friedrich SchillerGerman poet, philosopher, historian and playwright (1759-1805)