"There is no reality except the one contained within us. That is why so many people live such an unreal life. They take the images outside them for reality and never allow the world within to assert itself."

"Despair is the result of each earnest attempt to go through life with virtua, justice and understanding and fulfill their requirements. Children live on one side of despair, the awakened on the other side." (from The Journey to the East, 1932)

"I can give you nothing
that has not already
its origins within yourself

I can throw open no
picture gallery
but your own

I can help make
your own world visible-
that is all."

Steps (from _The Glass Bead Game_)

"As every blossom fades
and all youth sinks into old age,
so every life's design,
each flower of wisdom,
every good attains its prime
and cannot last forever.
In life, each call the heart
must be prepared courageously
without a hint of grief,
submit itself to other new ties.
A magic dwells in each beginning,
protecting us
tells us how to live.


High purposed we must traverse
realm on realm,
cleaving to none as to a home,
the world of spirit
wishes not to fetter us
but raise us higher,
step by step.


Scarce in some safe
accustomed sphere of life
have we establish a house,
then we grow lax;
only he who is ready
to journey forth
can throw old habits off.


Maybe death's hour too
will send us out new-born
towards undreamed-lands,
maybe life's call to us
will never find an end
Courage my heart,
take leave and fare thee well."

Anyone have an opinion on this translation?

Some say that the second translation (Richard and Clara Winston) of Hesse's Glass Bead Game, in which this poem appears, was better than the original one by M.S.

I am looking for a translation of "wo befreundete Wege zusammenlaufen, sieht die ganze Welt wie Heimat aus" by Hesse. Can anybody help?

"For every strong man attains to that which a genuine impulse bids him seek."
(Steppenwolf)

Hello all, I have been told that the following quote is attributed to Herman Hesse, but I can't find it. Does anyone recognize this quote and know its origin?

èThere are many types and kinds of vocations, but the core of the experience is always the same: the soul is awakened, transformed, or exalted so that instead of dreams and presentiments from within, a summons comes from without: a portion of reality presents itself and makes a claim.î

The quote you're looking for is by Hesse and can be found in "The Glass Bead Game" (AKA Magister Ludi).

There where paths of frendship meet, the whole world looks like home.

whoever can love, is lucky

"It is a strange but simple secret of the worldly wisdom of all times that the smallest selfless dedication, every sympathy, every love makes us richer, while striving for property and power takes away our strengths and let us become poorer. The people in India knew that, and then the wise Greeks, and then Jesus and ever since thousands of wise people and poets, whose works survived time, while rich people and kings of their time were lost and forgotten. You may agree with Jesus or with Plato, with Schiller or with Spinoza, everywhere it is the ultimate wisdom, that neither power nor possession nor knowledge can bless your soul, but only love. Every selflessness, every sacrifice because of love, every practical pity, every self-relinquishing seems to be a giving away, depriving yourself, and is nevertheless the only way that leads forward and upward.î