Hermann Hesse

Each man had only one genuine vocation — to find the way to himself.

I realize today that nothing in the world is more distasteful to a man than to take the path that leads to himself.

The bird fights its way out of the egg. The egg is the world. Who would be born must first destroy a world.

I wanted only to try to live in accord with the promptings which came from my true self. Why was that so very difficult?

Love does not entreat or demand. Love must have the strength to become certain within itself.