God, what is happiness! A bowl of gruel, a place to sleep, and no physical pain - that is already a great deal.

— Theodor Fontane (1819–1898), Schriftsteller

Topics: Joy & Gratitude, Meaning & Identity

Theodor Fontane

Theodor Fontane (1819–1898) war ein deutscher Schriftsteller und Journalist, der vor allem in Berlin und der Mark Brandenburg wirkte. Als bedeutender Vertreter des poetischen Realismus wurde er durch Gesellschaftsromane wie „Effi Briest“ und populäre Balladen bekannt, während in der Forschung zugleich antisemitische Äußerungen in seinen späten Briefen und Tagebüchern kritisch diskutiert werden. Für Bibelleser bieten seine Schriften scharfsinnige Einblicke in menschliche Schwächen und gesellschaftliche Zwänge sowie nachdenkliche Verse über Trost, Demut und Nächstenliebe.

All quotes by Theodor Fontane (14)

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Man is unhappy because he doesn't know he's happy. It's only that.
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Go forth, my heart, and seek joy in this lovely summertime, in the gifts of your God. Behold the beauty of the gardens' adornment, and see how they have decked themselves for me and for you.
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Great are you, Lord, and highly to be praised. Man, this tiny part of your creation, wants to praise you. You yourself stir him to delight in praising you, for you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.
Augustine of Hippo

For all that has been - Thanks. For all that will be - Yes.
Dag Hammarskjöld

The world is more than its burden, and life is more than the sum of its gray days.
Alfred Delp

A good sleep is grace and so are good dreams. Most tears are grace. The smell of rain is grace. Somebody loving you is grace. Loving somebody is grace.
Frederick Buechner

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