7 Great Quotes By Hermann Hesse

The quotes by Hermann Hesse are an invitation to reflect on life and the search for identity. They are a gift for anyone who wants to know themselves better and discover who they really are. His great legacy, which is a deeply spiritual and psychological legacy, is well worth reading.

Hermann Hesse was a German author and painter who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1946  for his literary work. Publishers have translated his books into more than 40 languages ​​and sold more than 30 million copies of his work.

Some of his most important books are  Damien  (1919),  Siddhartha  (1922), and  Steppenwolf  (1927), among others. Most of his books reflect Hesse’s  interest in Oriental mysticism and the spiritual world. They also touch on the insatiable search for new values ​​and reference points.  

Those who knew Hermann Hesse spoke of him as a shy man with a difficult personality. He enjoyed being alone and spent a lot of time looking inward. He was a creative, isolated and somewhat unstable person. He knew how to turn everything he felt inside into words. In fact, some consider him a “writer in crisis” because of his constant search for identity.

The road to oneself

Fate is a path towards ourselves. A path we walk every day to get to know ourselves better. Some understand it right away, others save time without realizing it. This is a good Hermann Hesse quote to remember when we feel lost.

The phenomenon of psychological projection

This is one of the quotes from Hermann Hesse which at first seems very strange to the reader. It can even provoke a negative reaction. Nevertheless  , psychologists call this phenomenon psychological projection. It refers to when people project their own feelings and lacks on others.

From a positive point of view, an example of this would be falling in love in a relationship. During this stage, both parties project qualities and virtues on the other that do not actually agree with them. They praise their generosity, kindness and good humor. On the other hand,  from a negative point of view, we use psychological projection when we blame someone else for avoiding taking responsibility for what is happening. For example, an insecure person may be upset with his partner because he says she does not trust him. In reality, the opposite is true.

Psychological projection is a complex subject. It is not easy to accept that we project on others what we do not like about ourselves. The key is to get to know yourself and accept your mistakes. That way, you can avoid getting involved in this type of behavior.

The value of effort

Effort is the key to getting what you want. It is the engine that moves you, along with determination, hope and desire. Dreams are worthless if you do not plan and look for a path that allows you to reach your goals.

Hermann Hesse was very clear on this point:  If you really want something, you have to find every possible way to get it. There are no excuses or possible obstacles if you are willing to work as hard as you can to reach your goal. Or at least, to try.

The complexity of empathy

Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes is not easy. Seeing the world through their eyes, feeling their emotions, and acting accordingly is more complicated than it may sound. In your own experience, how often have you felt that no one understands you? Or how often, no matter how hard you try, have you found it impossible to see the logic in the behavior of others? How often do you make wrong assumptions about behavior?

We believe that to feel empathy with someone is to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes, and that’s it. But there is more than that. You have to see things from their perspective, not your own. Pay attention to their circumstances, problems, dreams, fears, etc.  In order to make it perfect, you must have lived their life,  and of course it is impossible. That is why it is so difficult to understand others and to feel that others understand you.

Releasing communication

This is one of Hesse’s quotes that is most important to keep in mind in everyday life. Drowning in your own distress, negative emotions and problems, is undoubtedly bad for you. The best option is to  release everything that you hold on to inside you.

Voting your negative feelings helps you to vent and relax. It takes the exhausting weight you carry around off your shoulders. In addition, expressing yourself will improve your relationships. Silencing your own opinion prevents others from really understanding you. Your silence is like a high wall that puts distance between you and others, and weakens the bonds of friendship.

The relationship between love and happiness

After many years of introspection and self-reflection, Hesse came to this beautiful conclusion. There is nothing like love when it comes to experiencing happiness. To him, nothing could compare to this amazing feeling.

This is one of the most wise and beautiful quotes by Hermann Hesse. It gives an important and profound message to remind you of  what is most important. It is a call to humanity from the deepest part of his being.

The importance of recognizing our emotions

How we feel is always important. Whether it is positive or negative, intense or weak. The emotional sphere is one of the central axes of our lives. Because of that, it is important to acknowledge how we feel and to validate these emotions. If we do not, if we ignore how we feel, we may end up in a dark cloud of distress and suffering.

Ignoring our sadness, denying the anger we feel, or ignoring our happy moments are behaviors that distance us from ourselves. That is precisely why Hesse wanted to communicate this message. In his eternal search for identity, he discovered the importance of recognizing emotions in order to know oneself.

As you can see,  Hermann Hesse’s quotes are a valuable legacy for anyone who wants to know more about their inner self. Repeat these sentences in your existential moments. They invite you to reflect on the connections you have with yourself.