Page:Novalis Schriften - Volume 2.djvu/30

★ 20 ★ and I know it from an unfortunately youthful experience: to see oneself oppressed, mistreated and shackled by obstinacy and caprice, wandering around without a friend in the labyrinth of sorrowful ideas and objects, one's thirst for knowledge, the drive and aspiration for fame and fortune to be frustrated and hindered and to see oneself squeezed into miserable, oppressive human, bourgeois relationships—skepticism towards all, a depressing hatred of humanity must immediately arise from this.— — —The most beautiful years of our humanity, glorious youth, where only graces and flowers press upon our imagination, where a certain inexpressible feeling of immortality, eternal life can be worshipped, can they be enjoyed and felt in this circumstance? Unhappy one who shared this fate—am I the unhappy one?—Greater youth, greater joys—"Heavenly air, freedom, freedom!—the world below is a prison."