Full Idea
An empiricist is one whose way of thinking is an effect of the external world and of fate - the passive thinker - to whom his philosophy is given.
Gist of Idea
Empiricists are passive thinkers, given their philosophy by the external world and fate
Source
Novalis (Teplitz Fragments [1798], 33)
Book Reference
Novalis: 'Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. Stoljar,M.M. [SUNY 1997], p.107
A Reaction
Novalis goes on to enthuse about 'magical idealism', so he rejects empiricism. This is an early attack on the Myth of the Given, found in Sellars and McDowell.