Liebe kann man erbetteln, erkaufen, geschenkt bekommen, auf der Gasse finden, aber… — Hermann Hesse | Printable Wall Art

“Liebe kann man erbetteln, erkaufen, geschenkt bekommen, auf der Gasse finden, aber rauben kann man sie nicht.”
“Love can be begged, bought, given as a gift, found in the street — but it cannot be stolen.”

Words by Hermann Hesse (1877-1962) — German-Swiss novelist and poet.

About this quote

Love comes in many forms and can arise in unexpected ways, whether through patience, chance, or generosity. However, genuine affection requires willing consent. It relies on freedom and mutual feeling, meaning it can never be forced or taken by power. True love must be received willingly, as coercion destroys the very essence of what makes it real.

This reflection comes from Hermann Hesse's 1922 novel Siddhartha. Writing in German, Hesse explored personal fulfilment, spiritual wisdom, and human affection through the journey of a young man in ancient India.

People often place this print in a bedroom or quiet living space as an intimate reminder of vulnerability.

What you get

An instant digital download. Choose your design and size at checkout — 18 typographic designs and 8 print sizes are available for this quote.

• Print-ready PDF with fully embedded vector type — sharp at any scale
• Exact trim size, no cropping required
• Print at home, at a local print shop, or upload to an online printer
• Instant download — no physical item is shipped

Sizes available

5" x 7" · 8" x 10" · 11" x 14" · 12" x 16" · 16" x 20" · 18" x 24" · 24" x 36" · A4 (21 x 29.7 cm)

Designs available

Atelier Serif · Quiet Garamond · Studio Left · Gallery Rule · Midnight Serif · Editorial Left Serif · Modern Sans Calm · Letterpress Caps · Poster Condensed · Manuscript Italic · Asymmetric Left · Minimal Unsigned · Charcoal Sans · Gallery Frame · Soft Serif Right · Statement Serif · Tracked Caps Unsigned · Editorial Justified

Digital product. Colours may vary slightly between screens and printers. Frames and props are not included.