Explore Rainer Maria Rilke’s profound wisdom through thought-provoking quotes, discovering life’s complexities. From embracing existence's beauty to finding solace in unanswered questions, his words inspire courage, love, and an open heart for life's journey.
Rainer Maria Rilke was an acclaimed Austrian poet and novelist known for his unique and expressive writing style. He explored themes of mysticism and subjective experience, captivating critics and scholars alike with his work. While he is best known for his contributions to German literature, he also wrote in French. Some of his most famous works include the poetry collections "Duino Elegies" and "Sonnets to Orpheus," as well as the novel "The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge." In addition to being influential in literature, Rilke's writings have been widely cited by self-help authors and referenced in various forms of media.
Born René Karl Wilhelm Johann Josef Maria Rilke in Prague, Rilke had a challenging childhood marked by an unhappy family life. His parents enrolled him in a military academy at a young age, but he left due to illness. Despite these setbacks, he pursued his education in Prague before moving to Munich. Rilke's literary career took off when he met Lou Andreas-Salomé, an intellectual woman with whom he fell in love. Their relationship influenced his writing and led him on extensive journeys to Russia. Throughout his life, Rilke faced personal turmoil associated with relationships and health issues but continued to produce significant literary works until his death from leukemia in 1926.
Overall, Rainer Maria Rilke made significant contributions to German literature through poetry, novels, and correspondence. His writing style captivated readers with its expressive nature and exploration of mystical themes. Despite facing personal challenges throughout his life, Rilke's influence on literature continues to resonate today.
“They more adeptly bend the willow's branches
who have experience of the willow's roots.”
Sonnet 6 (as translated by Edward Snow)
Sonnets to Orpheus (1922)
Herr: es ist Zeit. Der Sommer war sehr groß.
Leg deinen Schatten auf die Sonnenuhren,
und auf den Fluren laß die Winde los.
Herbsttag (Autumn Day) (as translated by Cliff Crego)
Das Buch der Bilder (The Book of Images) (1902)
“Everywhere I am folded, there I am a lie.”
As quoted in News of the Universe : Poems of Twofold Consciousness (1995) by Robert Bly, p. 125
Letter One (17 February 1903)
Letters to a Young Poet (1934)
Original: (de) Mein Gott, fiel es mir mit Ungestüm ein, so bist du also. Es giebt Beweise für deine Existenz. Ich habe sie alle vergessen und habe keinen je verlangt, denn welche unge heuere Verpflichtung läge in deiner Gewißheit. Und doch, nun wird mirs gezeigt.
Source: The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge (1910), p. 135
