Word: schiller
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...vitality of Schiller's reputation," he said, "is one of the noblest facts in German literature. Goethe overtops him in almost every field, and Heine surpasses him in lyric perfection, yet it is Schiller, and neither Goethe nor Heine, whom the German people have taken into their hearts, and whom foreigners have agreed to honor as the spokesman of many of the finest traits in the German nature...
...Schiller was an idealist in the true meaning of the word, continued Mr. Thayer, having as his aim an ideal which should help all mankind, a supreme love of liberty. Firm in this ideal, he passed the first part of his life protesting against the servile conditions he saw about him. From the bitter disappointment caused by the failure of the French revolution to effect the liberty and happiness he so much desired, Schiller, the true idealist, rose triumphant, and devoted the rest of his life to teaching and uplifting the character by setting up, in his works, shining examples...
Professor Francke spoke next on "Schiller's Message to Modern Life...
Every line written by Schiller, he said, every deed done by him, proclaims the fact that he felt himself to be the bearer of a sacred message to humanity...
...Schiller lived at a time when Germany was being torn gradually to pieces by the onslaught of Napoleonic imperialism. A few great men, notably Kant, Goethe and Schiller, remained to re-awaken the national soul. Schiller strove to create perfect natures by the perfection of every quality given us, and by the conception of art as the highest of human activities. The present times, with their material, worldly tendencies, the merging of the souls of individuals into soulless machines, offer a splendid mission for Schiller's conception of art; and that art would be a tower of strength...