Quotes by Heinrich Heine

About Heinrich Heine:

Christian Johann Heinrich Heine is best known outside Germany for his early lyric poetry, which was set to music in the form of Lieder (art songs) by composers such as Robert Schumann and Franz Schubert. Heine's later verse and prose are distinguished by their satirical wit and irony. He is considered part of the Young Germany movement. His radical political views led to many of his works being banned by German authorities. Heine spent the last 25 years of his life as an expatriate in Paris.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

One should forgive one's enemies, but not before they are hanged.

Heinrich Heine

I once saw many flowers blooming Upon my way, in indolence I scorned to pick them in my going And passed in proud indifference. Now, when my grave is dug, they taunt me; Now, when I'm sick to death in pain, In mocking torment still they haunt me, Tho...

Heinrich Heine

Perfumes are the feelings of flowers.

Heinrich Heine

If the Romans had been obliged to learn Latin, they would never have found the time to conquer the world.

Heinrich Heine

We should forgive our enemies, but not before they are hanged

Heinrich Heine

A pine tree standeth lonely In the North on an upland bare; It standeth whitely shrouded With snow, and sleepeth there. It dreameth of a Palm tree Which far in the East alone, In the mournful silence standeth On its ridge of burning stone.

Heinrich Heine

The real madness probably is not another thing that the wisdom itself that, tired of discovering the shames of the world, has taken the intelligent resolution to become mad

Heinrich Heine

The music at a wedding procession always reminds me of the music of soldiers going into battle.

Heinrich Heine

Where words leave off, music begins.

Heinrich Heine

First, I thought, almost despairing, This must crush my spirit now; Yet I bore it, and am bearing- Only do not ask me how.

Heinrich Heine

Iron helmets will not save/ Even heroes from the grave/ Good man's blood will drain away/ While the wickid win the day.

Heinrich Heine

This was but a prelude; where books are burnt human-beings will be burnt in the end

Heinrich Heine

Durch die Eisenbahn wird Raum getötet, und es bleibt nur noch die Zeit übrig.

Heinrich Heine

Where books are burned, they will, in the end, burn people, too.

Heinrich Heine

The arrow belongs not to the archer when it has once left the bow; the word no longer belongs to the speaker when it has once passed his lips.

Heinrich Heine

In earlier religions the spirit of the time was expressed through the individual and confirmed by miracles. In modern religions the spirit is expressed through the many and confirmed by reason.

Heinrich Heine

Every man, either to his terror or consolation, has some sense of religion.

Heinrich Heine

You cannot feed the hungry on statistics.

Heinrich Heine

The Wedding March always reminds me of the music played when soldiers go into battle.

Heinrich Heine

When words leave off, music begins.

Heinrich Heine

Music played at weddings always reminds me of the music played for soldiers before they go into battle.

Heinrich Heine

Author Bio

  • NameHeinrich Heine
  • DescriptionGerman poet, journalist, essayist, and literary critic
  • AliasesHeinrich Heine; Christian Johann Heinrich Heine
  • BornDecember 13, 1798
  • DiedFebruary 17, 1856
  • CountryGermany
  • ProfessionPoet; Writer; Journalist; Literary Critic; Opinion Journalist
  • WorksGermany. A Winter's Tale;