Peter Altenberg Quotes & Sayings

God thinks in the geniusses, he dreams in the poets and slumbers in the rest of humanity. — Peter Altenberg

God thinks within geniuses, dreams within poets, and sleeps within the rest of us. — Peter Altenberg

Nobody believes in anything without an inner feeling that it can be realized. This is the only source of dreamlike powers — Peter Altenberg

I never dreamed of being Shakespeare or Goethe, and I never expected to hold the great mirror of truth up before the world; I dreamed only of being a little pocket mirror, the sort that a woman can carry in her purse; one that reflects small blemishes, and some great beauties, when held close enough to the heart. — Peter Altenberg

For a man the whole world is his love. For a woman love is her whole world. — Peter Altenberg

Art is art and life is life, but to live life artistically; that is the art of life — Peter Altenberg

There are only two things that can destroy a healthy [hu]man: love trouble, ambition, and financial catastrophe. And that's already three things, and there are a lot more. — Peter Altenberg

Art is life, life is life, but to lead life artistically is the art of life. — Peter Altenberg

It is sad to be an exception. But not to be one is even sadder. — Peter Altenberg