Page:Novalis Schriften - Volume 2.djvu/132

★ 122 ★ The classical doesn't bother me at all; it affects me only indirectly through myself. To me, it is not classical as such unless I establish that it would not affect me unless I am inspired myself to produce exactly the same for myself; or unless I break off a piece of myself, and let this seed develop in a unique way before my eyes. Development often needs only a moment and coincides with the sensual perception of the object, so that I see an object before me in which the ordinary object and the ideal, interpenetrate, forming just one wonderful individual.

53. Finding formulas for individual art forms, only through which their proper meaning can be understood, is the business of the art critic, whose work prepares the history of art.

54. The more confused a person is- one often calls these confused minds dimwits- the more he can accomplish through diligent self-study; on the other hand, well-ordered minds must strive to become true scholars, thorough encyclopedists. In the beginning, confused minds have to struggle with mighty obstacles, which they penetrate only slowly, they learn to work with difficulty: but then they are also lords and masters forever. The well-ordered mind take things in rapidly, but they also go out rapidly. He soon reaches the second stage: but he usually stops there. The last steps are difficult for him, and he can seldom convince himself to shift from having a certain degree of master to being a beginner again. The state of being confused indicates an abundance of strength and ability, but inadequate circumstances; certainty of