“Young people, who are beginners in everything, cannot yet know love: they have to learn it.”

— Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet, Letter Seven, 14 May 1904

About Rainer Maria Rilke

1875 – 1926

Austro-Bohemian poet, best known for 'Letters to a Young Poet' (written 1903–1908, published 1929) and 'Duino Elegies'.

“Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart, and try to love the questions themselves.”

“A good marriage is one in which each partner appoints the other to be the guardian of his solitude.”

“I could give you no advice but this: to go into yourself and to explore the depths where your life wells forth.”

“There is the love of knowing without the love of learning; the beclouding here leads to dissipation of mind.”

“It takes people a long time to learn the difference between talent and genius, especially ambitious young men and women.”

“So I say, if you cannot learn to love real art; at least learn to hate sham art and reject it.”

“Old men are always young enough to learn.”

“Learn to know thy heart, And, as the times, so let thy manners change, For by the law of change a new God rules.”

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”