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The business of the novelist is not to relate great events, but to make small ones interesting.

Arthur Schopenhauer

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Arthur Schopenhauer
Age: 72 †
Born: 1788
Born: February 22
Died: 1860
Died: September 21
Musicologist
Philosopher
Translator
University Teacher
Writer
Danzig
Events
Small
Interesting
Business
Great
Novelist
Writing
Novelists
Make
Relate
Ones

More quotes by Arthur Schopenhauer

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In the sphere of thought, absurdity and perversity remain the masters of the world, and their dominion is suspended only for brief periods.
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Life to the great majority is only a constant struggle for mere existence, with the certainty of losing it at last.
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How entirely does the Upanishad breathe throughout the holy spirit of the Vedas! How is every one who by a diligent study of its Persian Latin has become familiar with that incomparable book stirred by that spirit to the very depth of his Soul !
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I am often surprised by the cleverness, and now and again by the stupidity, of my dog and I have similar experiences with mankind.
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It is a curious fact that in bad days we can very vividly recall the good time that is now no more but that in good days, we have only a very cold and imperfect memory of the bad.
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Ignorance is degrading only when found in company with great riches.
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Wealth is like sea-water the more we drink, the thirstier we become and the same is true of fame.
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Empirical sciences prosecuted purely for their own sake, and without philosophic tendency are like a face without eyes.
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You must treat a work of art like a great man: stand before it and wait patiently till it deigns to speak.
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Every time a man is begotten and born, the clock of human life is wound up anew to repeat once more its same old tune that has already been played innumerable times, movement by movement and measure by measure, with insignificant variations.
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A great affliction of all Philistines is that idealities afford them no entertainment, but to escape from boredom they are always in need of realities.
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On the path of actions, great heart is the chief recommendation on that works, a great head.
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What give all that is tragic, whatever its form, the characteristic of the sublime, is the first inkling of the knowledge that the world and life can give no satisfaction, and are not worth our investment in them. The tragic spirit consists in this. Accordingly it leads to resignation.
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The doctor sees all the weakness of mankind the lawyer all the wickedness, the theologian all the stupidity.
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Man is the only animal who causes pain to others with no other object than wanting to do so.
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Human life must be some form of mistake.
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It is a wise thing to be polite consequently, it is a stupid thing to be rude. To make enemies by unnecessary and willful incivility, is just as insane a proceeding as to set your house on fire. For politeness is like a counter--an avowedly false coin, with which it is foolish to be stingy.
Arthur Schopenhauer
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There are, first of all, two kinds of authors: those who write for the subject's sake, and those who write for writing's sake. The first kind have had thoughts or experiences which seem to them worth communicating, while the second kind need money and consequently write for money.
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The tallest oak tree once was an acorn that any pig could have swallowed.
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With people of limited ability modesty is merely honesty. But with those who possess great talent it is hypocrisy.
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