Angelus Silesius

Angelus Silesius Poems

Eternity is time
And time eternity,
Except when we ourselves.
...

Friend, whatever you are, you must not stand still:
One must from one light into the other spill
...

God is a pure no-thing,
concealed in now and here:
...

God, whose love and joy are present everywhere,
Can't come to visit you unless you aren't there.
...

God is my final end;
Does he from me evolve,
...

I do not believe in death: I die by the hour, each day
And I have found a better life this way
...

In God nought e'er is known,
Forever one is He.
...

In Spirit senses are
One and the same. 'T is true,
...

God is the purest naught, untouched by time and space;
The more you reach for Him, the more He will escape.
...

Where is my dewelling place? Where I can never stand.
Where is my final goal, toward which I should ascend?
...

So many droplets in the sea, in bread so many grains;
So too of our multiplicity, nothing but God remains.
...

The rose blooms and knows not why,
Unencumbered by itself, oblivious to the eye
...

The soul, an eternal spirit, is beyond time's hold:
Even in this world it is in eternity's fold
...

Thou needst not cry to God,
The spring wells up in thee.
Don't stop its fountain head:
...

O Man, as long as you exist, know, have, and cherish,
You have not been delivered, believe me, of your burden.
...

Unless within you it already lies
Believe me, you cannot come to Paradise
...

When quitting time, I am
Myself eternity.
...

Friend, it is really enough.
In case you more desire to read,
...

In the ocean is all ocean,
even the smallest droplet;
Say, which holy soul
...

Angelus Silesius Biography

Angelus Silesius (c. 1624 – 9 July 1677), born Johann Scheffler and also known as Johann Angelus Silesius, was a German Catholic priest and physician, known as a mystic and religious poet. Born and raised a Lutheran, he adopted the name Angelus (Latin for "angel" or "heavenly messenger") and the epithet Silesius ("Silesian") on converting to Catholicism in 1653. While studying in the Netherlands, he began to read the works of medieval mystics and became acquainted with the works of the German mystic Jacob Böhme through Böhme's friend, Abraham von Franckenberg. Silesius's mystical beliefs caused tension between him and Lutheran authorities and led to his eventual conversion to Catholicism. He took holy orders under the Franciscans and was ordained a priest in 1661. Ten years later, in 1671, he retired to a Jesuit house where he remained for the rest of his life. An enthusiastic convert and priest, Silesius worked to convince German Protestants in Silesia to return to the Roman Catholic Church. He composed 55 tracts and pamphlets condemning Protestantism, several of which were published in two folio volumes entitled Ecclesiologia (trans. "The Words of the Church"). He is now remembered chiefly for his religious poetry, and in particular for two poetical works both published in 1657: Heilige Seelenlust (literally, "The Soul's Holy Desires"), a collection of more than 200 religious hymn texts that have been used by Catholics and Protestants; and Der Cherubinischer Wandersmann ("The Cherubinic Pilgrim"), a collection of 1,676 short poems, mostly Alexandrine couplets. His poetry explores themes of mysticism, quietism, and pantheism within an orthodox Catholic context.)

The Best Poem Of Angelus Silesius

Eternity is time

Eternity is time
And time eternity,
Except when we ourselves.
Would make them different be.

English version by Paul Carus
Original Language German

Angelus Silesius Comments

James Alden 09 November 2020

I have just recently discovered this poet, and, I tell you, that....I have never read anything quite like this...plus the fact that most, if not all...of his poems are no more than four lines, and yet...he somehow manages to say more than any other poet, that is any to my knowledge...could ever say, but I'm really going on and on here, and so...I would like to thank the individual, or individuals...for bringing these truly literary gems forth.... Thank You! ! .....

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