Unter Herbststernen

“But there was she, and there were you. Her breath was on you, you tasted flesh. She came from some darkness”

— Knut Hamsun

“Gud i himlen, kjærligheten er et flygtig stof!””

— Knut Hamsun

“Wie kam ein Mensch überhaupt dazu, so auszusehen wie er? Die große Nase war viel zu unbescheiden für sein geringes Amt im Leben; außerdem ließ er sich den ganzen Winter über die Haare nicht schneiden, was seinem Kopf von Woche zu Woche mehr Künstlerisches verlieh.””

— Knut Hamsun

“I have no murders to tell about, but I have joys and sufferings and love. And love is every bit as violent and dangerous as murder.””

— Knut Hamsun

“It is years since I knew such peace, perhaps twenty or thirty years; or perhaps it was in a previous life. Whenever it was, I must surely have tasted before now this peace that I feel as I walk around in ecstasies, humming to myself, caring for every stone and every straw, and sensing that they care for me once more. We are friends.””

— Knut Hamsun

“Soll der Direktor ruhig in seinem Jugendstil-Haus wohnen, ihm schadet das nichts - ihm nicht. Er ist ein moderner Mensch und immun; seine tiefste Sehnsucht wird dadurch befriedigt, daß er auf Knöpfe drücken und an Hähnen drehen darf.””

— Knut Hamsun

“Besides, beyond question, it takes a certain degree of brainlessness to remain permanently contented with oneself and with everything.””

— Knut Hamsun

“Here and there among the pines are rowans, with ripe coral berries; now the berries are falling, heavy clusters striking the earth. So they reap themselves and sow themselves again, an inconceivable abundance to be squandered every single year. Over three hundred clusters I can count on a single tree. And here and there about are flowers still in bloom, obstinate things that will not die, though their time is really past.””

— Knut Hamsun

“God preserve me from growing wise! Yes, I intend to mumble toothlessly to my deathbed bystanders: God preserve me from growing wise!””

— Knut Hamsun