work_id,theme,provenance,created_at,text,reviewed_on,id,comments,metaphor,dictionary,updated_at,context
3312,"","Reading E.R. Curtius' European Literature and the Latin Middle Ages, p. 321",2005-04-24 00:00:00 UTC,"Mens vero est ut liber intellectualis, in se ipso et omnibus intentionem scribentis videns.",,8579,"","""The mind, to be sure, is like an intellectual book, which sees in itself, and for all, the intention of the author.""",Writing,2013-10-15 02:13:38 UTC,""
3312,"",Browsing http://www.cla.umn.edu/jhopkins/DeApice12-2000.pdf,2005-04-24 00:00:00 UTC,"CARDINAL
Transfer, then, to intelligible things these [considerations about] perceptual things. For example, [transfer] to Possibility in an unqualified sense, i.e., to Absolute Possibility, [considerations about] light's possibility; and [transfer] to [absolutely] Simple Being [considerations about] the being of color. For Simple Being, which is
visible to the mind alone, is to the mind as the being of color is to the sense of sight. Moreover, observe what the mind sees in different beings, which are not anything except what they are possible to be and which can have only what-they-have-from-Possibility. And you will see that different beings are only different modes of the manifestation of Possibility but that their [ultimate] Quiddity cannot be different, because it is Possibility itself, which is manifested in different ways.
(9, p. 1427)",,8726,"","""For Simple Being, which is visible to the mind alone, is to the mind as the being of color is to the sense of sight.""","",2009-09-14 19:33:44 UTC,9
3312,"",Browsing http://www.cla.umn.edu/jhopkins/DeApice12-2000.pdf,2005-04-24 00:00:00 UTC,"CARDINAL
I propose to disclose to you now this readily accessible route which was not previously communicated openly and which I consider to be most secret: viz., (1) that all precision-of-speculation is to be fixed only on Possibility and its manifestation and (2) that all men who have seen accurately have endeavored to express this truth. For those men who affirmed there to be only the One looked unto Possibility. Those who said there to be both the One and the many looked unto both Possibility and its many manifested modes-of-being. Those who maintained that nothing new is possible to occur looked unto the Possibility of all possibility-to-be or possibility-to-become. Those who affirm the newness of the world and of its events turned their minds to the manifestations of Possibility. By way of illustration: if someone were to turn his mind's sight to the possibility, or power, of oneness: he surely would see in every number and in all plurality only oneness's power, than which nothing is more powerful; and he would see that every number is only a manifestation of the innumerable and interminable power of oneness, for numbers are only special modes-of-manifestation of the power of oneness. [...]
(14, p. 1429)",,8727,"",""" [I]f someone were to turn his mind's sight to the possibility, or power, of oneness: he surely would see in every number and in all plurality only oneness's power""","",2009-09-14 19:33:44 UTC,14
3312,Mind's Eye,Browsing http://www.cla.umn.edu/jhopkins/DeApice12-2000.pdf,2005-04-24 00:00:00 UTC,"CARDINAL
[...]
Accordingly, by such analyses [as the foregoing] you see that all [these speculative matters] are easy, and you see that all differences pass over into a concordance. Therefore, my dearly beloved Peter, with keen directedness turn your mind's eye to this secret, and with this analysis enter into my writings and into whatever other writings you read, and occupy yourself especially with my books and sermons-- particularly with The Gift of Light, which, if rightly understood in accordance with the preceding remarks, contains the same thing as this present book. Likewise, keep in mind my books On the Icon of God (or On the Vision of God) and On Seeking God, so that you may better familiarize yourself with these theological matters. And with great affection conjoin to these books the memorandum concerning the loftiest level of contemplative reflection--the memorandum which I now very briefly submit. I hope that you will be an acceptable contemplator of God and will pray unceasingly for me amid your sacred offices.
(16, p. 1430-1)",,8728,"","""Therefore, my dearly beloved Peter, with keen directedness turn your mind's eye to this secret, and with this analysis enter into my writings and into whatever other writings you read, and occupy yourself especially with my books and sermons.""","",2010-01-19 04:10:06 UTC,16
5441,Mirror and Lamp,"Reading Terry Castle's ""Phantasmagoria and the Metaphorics of Modern Reverie"" in The Female Thermometer: Eighteenth Century Culture and the Invention of the Uncanny (New York and Oxford: OUP, 1995), p. 156.",2009-09-14 19:41:13 UTC,"July 18. What is the whole world to our hearts without love? It is the optic machine of the Savoyards without light. As soon as the little lamp appears, the figures shine on the whitened wall; and if love only shews us shadows which pass away, yet still we are happy when, like children, we are transported with the splendid phantoms. I shall not see Charlotte to-day; company, which I could not avoid, hinders me. What do you think I have done? I sent the little boy who waits upon me, that I might at least see somebody that had been near her. With what impatience I waited for his return, and with what pleasure I saw him? I should certainly have taken him in my arms if I had not been ashamed.
(Vol. I, Letter XXI [July 18] pp. 99-100)
Wilhelm, was ist unserem Herzen die Welt ohne Liebe! Was eine Zauberlaterne ist ohne Licht! Kaum bringst du das Lämpchen hinein, so scheinen dir die buntesten Bilder an deine weiße Wand! Und wenn's nichts wäre als das, als vorübergehende Phantome, so macht's doch immer unser Glück, wenn wir wie frische Jungen davor stehen und uns über die Wundererscheinungen entzücken. Heute konnte ich nicht zu Lotten, eine unvermeidliche Gesellschaft hielt mich ab. Was war zu tun? Ich schickte meinen Diener hinaus, nur um einen Menschen um mich zu haben, der ihr heute nahe gekommen wäre. Mit welcher Ungeduld ich ihn erwartete, mit welcher Freude ich ihn wiedersah! Ich hätte ihn gern beim Kopfe genommen und geküßt, wenn ich mich nicht geschämt hätte.
(Am 18. Julius, p. 45 in Reclam)",2006-06-06,14556,•Reviewed 2003-12-12. I've included twice: Lantern and Lamp,""What is the whole world to our hearts without love? It is the optic machine of the Savoyards without light."" [More literal translation: ""Wilhelm, what would the world mean to our hearts without love! What is a magic lantern without its lamp!""]",Optics,2013-06-06 19:06:03 UTC,""
5441,"","Reading M.H. Abrams, The Mirror and the Lamp: Romantic Theory and the Critical Tradition (London: Oxford UP, 1953), 44.",2013-06-06 18:44:37 UTC,"My mind is calm and serene, like the first fine mornings of spring. Solitude and tranquillity, in a country so suited to a disposition like mine, give me an enjoyment of Life itself is happiness, and the pleasure of mere existence so entirely absorbs me, that I neglect my talents; I don't draw, I can't make a stroke with the pencil, and yet I am a greater painter than ever. Thin undulating vapours are spread over the plain; thick tufted trees defend me from the meridian sun which only checkers my shade with a few rays. Here, extended on the long grass near the fall of a brook, I admire the infinite variety of plants, and grow familiar with all the little insects that surround me, as they hum amongst the flowers, or creep in the grass. Then I feel the divine breath breath of that all-powerful Being which created us; whose eternal love supports and comforts us. A darkness spreads over my eyes; heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb all its powers, like the idea of a beloved mistress. Oh! that I could express, that I could describe, these great conceptions, with the same warmth, with the same energy, that they are impressed on my soul! but the sublimity of them astonishes and overpowers me.
(Vol. I, Letter II [May 10], pp. 6-8)
Eine wunderbare Heiterkeit hat meine ganze Seele eingenommen, gleich den süßen Frühlingsmorgen, die ich mit ganzem Herzen genieße. Ich bin allein und freue mich meines Lebens in dieser Gegend, die für solche Seelen geschaffen ist wie die meine. Ich bin so glücklich, mein Bester, so ganz in dem Gefühle von ruhigem Dasein versunken, daß meine Kunst darunter leidet. Ich könnte jetzt nicht zeichnen, nicht einen Strich, und bin nie ein größerer Maler gewesen als in diesen Augenblicken. Wenn das liebe Tal um mich dampft, und die hohe Sonne an der Oberfläche der undurchdringlichen Finsternis meines Waldes ruht, und nur einzelne Strahlen sich in das innere Heiligtum stehlen, ich dann im hohen Grase am fallenden Bache liege, und näher an der Erde tausend mannigfaltige Gräschen mir merkwürdig werden; wenn ich das Wimmeln der kleinen Welt zwischen Halmen, die unzähligen, unergründlichen Gestalten der Würmchen, der Mückchen näher an meinem Herzen fühle, und fühle die Gegenwart des Allmächtigen, der uns nach seinem Bilde schuf, das Wehen des Alliebenden, der uns in ewiger Wonne schwebend trägt und erhält; mein Freund! Wenn's dann um meine Augen dämmert, und die Welt um mich her und der Himmel ganz in meiner Seele ruhn wie die Gestalt einer Geliebten--dann sehne ich mich oft und denke: ach könntest du das wieder ausdrücken, könntest du dem Papiere das einhauchen, was so voll, so warm in dir lebt, daß es würde der Spiegel deiner Seele, wie deine Seele ist der Spiegel des unendlichen Gottes!--mein Freund--aber ich gehe darüber zugrunde, ich erliege unter der Gewalt der Herrlichkeit dieser Erscheinungen.
(Mai 10, pp. 7-8 in Reclam)",,20450,"INTEREST: English translation tones down the metaphor of the mirror. See preface which admits to doing as much (and contrasts the English with the French and German translations).
","""Oh! that I could express, that I could describe, these great conceptions, with the same warmth, with the same energy, that they are impressed on my soul!"" [Literal translation: ""Oh could you only express, could you the breathe forth upon this paper all that lives so warm and full, that it might become the mirror of your soul, as your soul is the mirror of the infinite God!""]",Mirror,2013-07-14 14:59:44 UTC,Entry for May 10
5441,"",Google Books,2013-07-14 16:48:02 UTC,"I am very well pleased with my situation here. Solitude in this terrestrial
paradise is a medicine to my mind. The delight of spring touches my heart, and gives fresh vigour to my soul. Every tree, every bush, is full of flowers, and a delicious perfume fills the air. The town itself is disagreeable; but the finest kind of country, and the greatest natural beauties, are in its environs. Upon one of the neighbouring hills, which form a chain, and diversify our landscape, the late Marquis of M. made a garden: it is simple, and at first sight it is easy to perceive that it was not laid out by a gardener, but by a man of taste and feeling for his own enjoyment. I have already given some tears to the memory of its departed master, in an arbour that is now almost in ruins, which was his favourite spot, and is at present mine. I shall soon have entire possession of this garden; the gardener is in my interest, and he won't be a loser by it.
(Vol. I, Letter I [May 4], pp. 4-6)
Übrigens befinde ich mich hier gar wohl. Die Einsamkeit ist meinem Herzen köstlicher Balsam in dieser paradiesischen Gegend, und diese Jahreszeit der Jugend wärmt mit aller Fülle mein oft schauderndes Herz. Jeder Baum, jede Hecke ist ein Strauß von Blüten, und man möchte zum Maienkäfer werden, um in dem Meer von Wohlgerüchen herumschweben und alle seine Nahrung darin finden zu können.
Die Stadt selbst ist unangenehm, dagegen rings umher eine unaussprechliche Schönheit der Natur. Das bewog den verstorbenen Grafen von M., einen Garten auf einem der Hügel anzulegen, die mit der schönsten Mannigfaltigkeit sich kreuzen und die lieblichsten Täler bilden. Der Garten ist einfach, und man fühlt gleich bei dem Eintritte, daß nicht ein wissenschaftlicher Gärtner, sondern ein fühlendes Herz den Plan gezeichnet, das seiner selbst hier genießen wollte. Schon manche Träne hab' ich dem Abgeschiedenen in dem verfallenen Kabinettchen geweint, das sein Lieblingsplätzchen war und auch meines ist. Bald werde ich Herr vom Garten sein; der Gärtner ist mir zugetan, nur seit den paar Tagen, und er wird sich nicht übel dabei befinden.
(Am 4. Mai 1771, pp. 6-7 in Reclam)",,21759,"","""Solitude in this terrestrial paradise is a medicine to my mind. The delight of spring touches my heart, and gives fresh vigour to my soul.""","",2013-07-14 16:48:02 UTC,""
5441,"",Google Books,2013-07-14 16:48:48 UTC,"May 10. My mind is calm and serene, like the first fine mornings of spring. Solitude and tranquillity, in a country so suited to a disposition like mine, give me an enjoyment of life. Life itself is happiness, and the pleasure of mere existence so entirely absorbs me, that I neglect my talents; I don't draw, I can't make a stroke with the pencil, and yet I am a greater painter than ever. Thin undulating vapours are spread over the plain; thick tufted trees defend me from the meridian sun which only checkers my shade with a few rays. Here, extended on the long grass near the fall of a brook, I admire the infinite variety of plants, and grow familiar with all the little insects that surround me, as they hum amongst the flowers, or creep in the grass. Then I feel the divine breath of that all-powerful Being which created us; whose eternal love supports and comforts us. A darkness spreads over my eyes; heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb all its powers, like the idea of a beloved mistress. Oh! that I could express, that I could describe, these great conceptions, with the same warmth, with the same energy, that they are impressed on my soul! but the sublimity of them astonishes and overpowers me.
(Vol. I, Letter II [May 10], pp. 6-8)
Eine wunderbare Heiterkeit hat meine ganze Seele eingenommen, gleich den süßen Frühlingsmorgen, die ich mit ganzem Herzen genieße. Ich bin allein und freue mich meines Lebens in dieser Gegend, die für solche Seelen geschaffen ist wie die meine. Ich bin so glücklich, mein Bester, so ganz in dem Gefühle von ruhigem Dasein versunken, daß meine Kunst darunter leidet. Ich könnte jetzt nicht zeichnen, nicht einen Strich, und bin nie ein größerer Maler gewesen als in diesen Augenblicken. Wenn das liebe Tal um mich dampft, und die hohe Sonne an der Oberfläche der undurchdringlichen Finsternis meines Waldes ruht, und nur einzelne Strahlen sich in das innere Heiligtum stehlen, ich dann im hohen Grase am fallenden Bache liege, und näher an der Erde tausend mannigfaltige Gräschen mir merkwürdig werden; wenn ich das Wimmeln der kleinen Welt zwischen Halmen, die unzähligen, unergründlichen Gestalten der Würmchen, der Mückchen näher an meinem Herzen fühle, und fühle die Gegenwart des Allmächtigen, der uns nach seinem Bilde schuf, das Wehen des Alliebenden, der uns in ewiger Wonne schwebend trägt und erhält; mein Freund! Wenn's dann um meine Augen dämmert, und die Welt um mich her und der Himmel ganz in meiner Seele ruhn wie die Gestalt einer Geliebten--dann sehne ich mich oft und denke: ach könntest du das wieder ausdrücken, könntest du dem Papiere das einhauchen, was so voll, so warm in dir lebt, daß es würde der Spiegel deiner Seele, wie deine Seele ist der Spiegel des unendlichen Gottes!--mein Freund--aber ich gehe darüber zugrunde, ich erliege unter der Gewalt der Herrlichkeit dieser Erscheinungen.
(Am 10. Mai, pp. 7-8 in Reclam)",,21760,"","""My mind is calm and serene, like the first fine mornings of spring.""","",2013-07-14 16:48:48 UTC,""
5441,"",Google Books,2013-07-14 16:50:10 UTC,"May 10. My mind is calm and serene, like the first fine mornings of spring. Solitude and tranquillity, in a country so suited to a disposition like mine, give me an enjoyment of life. Life itself is happiness, and the pleasure of mere existence so entirely absorbs me, that I neglect my talents; I don't draw, I can't make a stroke with the pencil, and yet I am a greater painter than ever. Thin undulating vapours are spread over the plain; thick tufted trees defend me from the meridian sun which only checkers my shade with a few rays. Here, extended on the long grass near the fall of a brook, I admire the infinite variety of plants, and grow familiar with all the little insects that surround me, as they hum amongst the flowers, or creep in the grass. Then I feel the divine breath of that all-powerful Being which created us; whose eternal love supports and comforts us. A darkness spreads over my eyes; heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb all its powers, like the idea of a beloved mistress. Oh! that I could express, that I could describe, these great conceptions, with the same warmth, with the same energy, that they are impressed on my soul! but the sublimity of them astonishes and overpowers me.
(Vol. I, Letter II [May 10], pp. 6-8)
Eine wunderbare Heiterkeit hat meine ganze Seele eingenommen, gleich den süßen Frühlingsmorgen, die ich mit ganzem Herzen genieße. Ich bin allein und freue mich meines Lebens in dieser Gegend, die für solche Seelen geschaffen ist wie die meine. Ich bin so glücklich, mein Bester, so ganz in dem Gefühle von ruhigem Dasein versunken, daß meine Kunst darunter leidet. Ich könnte jetzt nicht zeichnen, nicht einen Strich, und bin nie ein größerer Maler gewesen als in diesen Augenblicken. Wenn das liebe Tal um mich dampft, und die hohe Sonne an der Oberfläche der undurchdringlichen Finsternis meines Waldes ruht, und nur einzelne Strahlen sich in das innere Heiligtum stehlen, ich dann im hohen Grase am fallenden Bache liege, und näher an der Erde tausend mannigfaltige Gräschen mir merkwürdig werden; wenn ich das Wimmeln der kleinen Welt zwischen Halmen, die unzähligen, unergründlichen Gestalten der Würmchen, der Mückchen näher an meinem Herzen fühle, und fühle die Gegenwart des Allmächtigen, der uns nach seinem Bilde schuf, das Wehen des Alliebenden, der uns in ewiger Wonne schwebend trägt und erhält; mein Freund! Wenn's dann um meine Augen dämmert, und die Welt um mich her und der Himmel ganz in meiner Seele ruhn wie die Gestalt einer Geliebten--dann sehne ich mich oft und denke: ach könntest du das wieder ausdrücken, könntest du dem Papiere das einhauchen, was so voll, so warm in dir lebt, daß es würde der Spiegel deiner Seele, wie deine Seele ist der Spiegel des unendlichen Gottes!--mein Freund--aber ich gehe darüber zugrunde, ich erliege unter der Gewalt der Herrlichkeit dieser Erscheinungen.
(Am 10. Mai, pp. 7-8 in Reclam)",,21761,"","""A darkness spreads over my eyes; heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb all its powers, like the idea of a beloved mistress.""","",2013-07-14 16:50:10 UTC,""
5441,"",Google Books,2013-07-14 16:50:53 UTC,"YOU offer me books; I will have nothing to do with them: for heaven's sake don't send me any. I don't wish to be again guided, heated, agitated. Alas! my heart is of itself but too much agitated already. I want strains that may lull me; and Homer furnishes them in abundance. Often have I strove to calm the blood that seemed boiling in my veins; often have I endeavoured to stop the keen and sudden passions of my heart--But 'tis not to you that I need explain its feelings; you have often seen with
concern my quick transitions from sorrow to immoderate joy, and from soft melancholy to violent and dangerous passions. My heart is like a sick child; and like a sick child I let it have its way:--But that between ourselves; for I know I mould be blamed for it.
(Vol. I, Letter IV [May 13], pp. 11-12)
Du fragst, ob du mir meine Bücher schicken sollst? – lieber, ich bitte dich um Gottes willen, laß mir sie vom Halse! Ich will nicht mehr geleitet, ermuntert, angefeuert sein, braust dieses Herz doch genug aus sich selbst; ich brauche Wiegengesang, und den habe ich in seiner Fülle gefunden in meinem Homer. Wie oft lull' ich mein empörtes Blut zur Ruhe, denn so ungleich, so unstet hast du nichts gesehn als dieses Herz. Lieber! Brauch' ich dir das zu sagen, der du so oft die Last getragen hast, mich vom Kummer zur Ausschweifung und von süßer Melancholie zur verderblichen Leidenschaft übergehen zu sehn? Auch halte ich mein Herzchen wie ein krankes Kind; jeder Wille wird ihm gestattet. Sage das nicht weiter; es gibt Leute, die mir es verübeln würden.
(Am 13. Mai, p. 9 in Reclam)",,21762,"","""My heart is like a sick child; and like a sick child I let it have its way.""",Inhabitants,2013-07-14 16:50:53 UTC,""