Lou Andreas-Salome Quotes & Sayings

What does not engage our feelings does not long engage our thoughts either. — Lou Andreas-Salome

Whoever reaches into a rosebush may seize a handful of flowers; but no matter how many one holds, it's only a small portion of the whole. Nevertheless, a handful is enough to experience the nature of the flowers. Only if we refuse to reach into the bush, because we can't possibly seize all the flowers at once, or if we spread out our handful of roses as if it were the whole of the bush itself
only then does it bloom apart from us, unknown to us, and we are left alone. — Lou Andreas-Salome

The optimistic nature finds joy in the very feeling for life; the pessimistic nature finds a feeling for life only in joy. — Lou Andreas-Salome

Should we not be moved rather than chilled by the knowledge that he might have attained his greatness only through his frailties? — Lou Andreas-Salome

Now I understand that this passion for pain, even in the torture of martyrdom, represents the haste and impatience to no longer be interrupted and disturbed by the evil that can come from this side (meaning this life). — Lou Andreas-Salome

Poetry is something in-between the dream and its interpretation. — Lou Andreas-Salome

If you have no more happiness to give: Give me your pain. — Lou Andreas-Salome

Believe me, the world won't give you any gifts. If you want to have a life, steal it. — Lou Andreas-Salome

The closer two people stand to each other inwardly, the more readily they become for each other the condition under which alone their two beings find expression. — Lou Andreas-Salome