The barbarians around us

tear apart our best powers,

before they can be cultivated

and only the firm, deep insight into this

fate can save us, and prevent us at least

from perishing in an unworthy manner.

We have to seek what is excellent, and

hold to it as we can, to strengthen and

heal ourselves …

Holderlin from a letter to his half-brother

Karl Gok 4 June 1799.