Full Idea
The philosopher lives on problems as the human being does on food. An insoluble problem is an indigestible food. What spice is to food, the paradoxical is to problems.
Gist of Idea
Philosophers feed on problems, hoping they are digestible, and spiced with paradox
Source
Novalis (Logological Fragments II [1798], 09)
Book Reference
Novalis: 'Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. Stoljar,M.M. [SUNY 1997], p.68
A Reaction
Novalis would presumably have disliked Hegel's dialectic, where the best food seems to be the indigestible.