Demian

by Hermann Hesse

Every person’s life is a journey toward himself, the attempt at a journey, the intimation of a path. No person has ever been completely himself, but each one strives to become so, some gropingly, others more lucidly, according to his abilities. Each one carries with him to the end traces of his birth, the slime and eggshells of a primordial world. Many

I’m telling it to those who have greater knowledge of humanity. An adult who has learned how to transform part of his emotions into thought processes notices that such thoughts aren’t present in a child, and then concludes that the experiences aren’t present, either. But

No one needs to be afraid of anyone.

Facts

nothing in the world is more repugnant to a man than following the path that leads him to himself!

It was my own business to cope with myself and find my own path, and I conducted my business badly, just as most children do who have been well brought up.

very many are hung up for good on this reef and for the rest of their life cling painfully to the irretrievable

Myself included. Such a hard lesson to learn yet so important