ByQuotes

Herman Gorter Quotes

Powerful Herman Gorter for Daily Growth

About Herman Gorter

Herman Gorter (1864-1927), a Dutch Symbolist poet, is widely regarded as one of the most significant figures in the development of modern Dutch poetry. Born on August 3, 1864, in Amsterdam, Gorter was influenced by a diverse range of philosophies, literatures, and artistic movements during his formative years. His early works show the impact of Impressionism, Realism, and Symbolism, reflecting his exposure to French literature through translations and personal connections with French poets such as Stéphane Mallarmé and Paul Verlaine. In 1885, Gorter began studying law at the University of Leiden but soon left to focus on his literary pursuits. His first collection of poems, "Wilhelmina" (1886), showcased his early experimentation with Symbolist techniques. However, it was his next work, "Flores Rare," published in 1890, that truly established him as a major voice in Dutch poetry. This collection, inspired by his travels to the East Indies, introduced a more mature and confident poetic voice, characterized by vivid imagery, complex symbolism, and a deep exploration of human emotions. Gorter's later works continued to push the boundaries of poetic expression. "The Loves of the Great Capital" (1907-1923), his epic poem in five parts, is considered his magnum opus. This sprawling work offers a profound critique of modern society and its impact on the individual, drawing heavily from Gorter's experiences during World War I and the decline of the Dutch Empire. Despite facing criticism and rejection during his lifetime, Gorter's influence extended beyond the Netherlands, with poets such as Rainer Maria Rilke, T.S. Eliot, and Ezra Pound acknowledging his impact on their work. Herman Gorter passed away in The Hague on April 14, 1927, leaving behind a rich and enduring literary legacy.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is a long road, and I want to walk it with you."

This quote by Herman Gorter signifies a profound desire for companionship, shared experiences, and journey through life. It suggests a willingness to embrace the ups and downs of life together with someone, implying trust, understanding, and mutual support. In essence, it's about choosing to share one's path in life with another, acknowledging that life is a long journey and having a partner to walk it with can make it richer and more meaningful.

"Love is not a feeling, but a will."

Herman Gorter suggests that love isn't an emotion or feeling that simply happens to us, but rather it's a deliberate choice, an act of the will. In other words, love is more about commitment, action, and intentionality than just having feelings of affection at a given moment. This view challenges the popular notion of love as something that happens spontaneously and transcends control, emphasizing instead its active, conscious, and willful aspect.

"The soul has windows, through which we see God's light."

This quote suggests that within each individual, there exists a spiritual or intangible aspect - the soul - which acts as a portal or window for experiencing the divine or transcendent. In other words, it implies that our deepest thoughts, feelings, and experiences offer glimpses of a larger, spiritual truth or reality that permeates the universe. This perspective encourages us to look inward and cultivate self-awareness as a means of connecting with something greater than ourselves.

"I seek in the world nothing but the beautiful, the more beautiful, and the still more beautiful."

This quote by Herman Gorter emphasizes his pursuit of beauty in all aspects of life, continually seeking out and appreciating what is aesthetically pleasing or harmonious. The "beautiful" refers not only to physical attractiveness but also to the appreciation of art, nature, emotions, experiences, and relationships that enrich our lives. In essence, Herman Gorter's quote invites us all to prioritize beauty in our personal journeys and strive for continuous growth towards greater appreciation of it.

"The sea is deep, but the heart is deeper."

This quote by Herman Gorter suggests that while the sea, a symbol of vastness and mystery, is deep, the human heart - capable of love, compassion, understanding, and complex emotions - is even deeper. It implies that there are depths within us as humans that surpass even the unknown depths of the ocean. This quote emphasizes the profound nature of the human spirit and its capacity to delve into deeper realms of feeling and consciousness.

Many a trace, and many a germ of this infantile disease, to which without a doubt, I also am a victim, has been chased away by your brochure, or will yet be eradicated by it.

- Herman Gorter

Been, Which, Chased, Infantile

Of course you know this difference as well as I do, only you failed to draw from it the conclusions for the tactics in Western Europe, at least as far as I am able to judge from your works.

- Herman Gorter

Your, Works, Least, Conclusions

You should not do this, Comrade. We are only in the introductory stage yet, here in Western Europe. And in that stage it is better to encourage the fighters than the rulers.

- Herman Gorter

Better, Here, Fighters, Introductory

This is the absolute truth: and on this truth our tactics must be based. All tactics that are not based on this are false, and lead the proletariat to terrible defeat.

- Herman Gorter

False, Based, Our, Proletariat

What does it mean with regard to tactics, this fact that the proletariat of Western Europe stands all alone: that it has no prospect of any help whatsoever from any other class?

- Herman Gorter

Fact, Other, Whatsoever, Proletariat

The revolution in Russia was terrible for the proletariat in the long years of its development and it is terrible now, after the victory. But at the actual time of revolution it was easy, and this was due to the peasants.

- Herman Gorter

Victory, Development, Actual, Proletariat

The poor peasant here hives under conditions quite different from those of Russia. Though often terrible, they are not as appalling as they were there.

- Herman Gorter

Peasant, Here, Though, Appalling

Because in Russia you were able to triumph with the help of a large class of poor peasants, you represent things in such a way, as if we in Western Europe are also going to have that help.

- Herman Gorter

Triumph, Going, Large, Such A Way

And it is practically the same in the case of the four or five million poor peasants in France, and also for Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, and two of the Scandinavian countries. Everywhere small and medium sized industry prevails.

- Herman Gorter

Small, Holland, Sized, Scandinavian

But the question is to find and rear leaders that are really one with the masses. This can only be accomplished by the masses, the political parties and the Trade Unions, by means of the most severe struggle, also inwardly.

- Herman Gorter

Question, Unions, Means, Severe

As farmers or owners, the poor peasants possess a piece of land. The excellent means of transport enables them often to sell their goods. At the very worst they can mostly provide their own food.

- Herman Gorter

Very, Means, Mostly, Enables

The revolution in Russia was victorious with the help of the poor peasants. This should always be borne in mind here in Western Europe and all the world over. But the workers in Western Europe stand alone: this should never be forgotten in Russia.

- Herman Gorter

Alone, Revolution, Here, Victorious

Moreover, in Russia there was an enormous amount of landed property to be divided, large estates, crown lands, government land, and the estates held by the monasteries.

- Herman Gorter

Amount, Large, Estates, Moreover

To judge from all Communist papers, magazines and brochures, and from all public assemblies, one might even surmise that a revolt of the poor peasants in Western Europe might break out at any moment!

- Herman Gorter

Communist, Break, Might, Western

There is an enormous difference between Russia and Western Europe.

- Herman Gorter

Russia, Western Europe, Western

For the Russian masses, the proletarians, knew for certain, and already saw during the war, and in part before their very eyes, that the peasants would soon be on their side.

- Herman Gorter

Very, Side, Russian, Peasants

The revolution came so suddenly, and in a way so utterly different from what we expected.

- Herman Gorter

Different, Expected, Came, Utterly

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.