Wit is the appearance, the external flash, of fantasy. Hence its divinity and the similarity to the wit of mysticism.
Interpretation
Wit reflects a deeper creativity and insight, resembling mystical inspiration.
In this quote, Schlegel suggests that wit is not merely a clever or quick response, but rather a manifestation of deeper imaginative thought. It connects the essence of humor with a spiritual or mystical insight, emphasizing that true wit resembles the profound understanding found in mysticism.
In practice
During a speech about creativity, one might say this quote to illustrate the deeper roots of humor.
Prudishness is pretense of innocence without innocence. Women have to remain prudish as long as men are sentimental, dense, and evil enough to demand of them eternal innocence and lack of education. For innocence is the only thing which can ennoble lack of education.
A classical work doesn't ever have to be understood entirely. But those who are educated and who are still educating themselves must desire to learn more and more from it.
If you want to see mankind fully, look at a family. Within the family minds become organically one, and for this reason the family is total poetry.
He who does not become familiar with nature through love will never know her.
Religion can emerge in all forms of feeling: here wild anger, there the sweetest pain; here consuming hatred, there the childlike smile of serene humility.
A priest is he who lives solely in the realm of the invisible, for whom all that is visible has only the truth of an allegory.
Some journeys are direct, and some are circuitous; some are heroic, and some are fearful and muddled. But every journey, honestly undertaken, stands a chance of taking us toward the place where our deep gladness meets the worldβs deep need
Power is the chance to impose your will within a social context, even when opposed and regardless of the integrity of that chance.
I am not opposed to all wars. I'm opposed to dumb wars.
We who live in quiet places have the opportunity to become acquainted with ourselves, to think our own thoughts and live our own lives in a way that is not possible for those keeping up with the crowd.
Nothing is more generally known than our duties which belong to Christianity; and yet, how amazing is it, nothing is less practiced?
In India, there's a way of seeing life as a cosmic play. It's called Lila. I can watch my life, and I can see my guru playing with me.
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