Sebastian Haffner, The Rise and Fall of Prussia (1980), p. 32
“
Frederick is what the English call an ‘acquired taste’: repulsive on first contact, yet as one gets involved with him one becomes addicted to him and finds him arousing a sentiment that cannot be called love but that may possibly be stronger than love.
— Sebastian Haffner
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "Frederick is what the English call an ‘acquired taste’: repulsive on first contact, yet as one gets involved with him one becomes addicted to him and finds him arousing a sentiment that cannot be called love but that may possibly be stronger than love." in the context of "Sebastian Haffner, The Rise and Fall of Prussia (1980), p. 32" to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Frederick II of Prussia" (Quotes about Frederick II)
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
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About Frederick II of Prussia
Frederick II of Prussia (January 24, 1712 – August 17, 1786) was king of Prussia from 1740 to 1786. He was also known as Friedrich der Große (Frederick the Great)
About Frederick II of Prussia
Frederick II of Prussia (January 24, 1712 – August 17, 1786) was king of Prussia from 1740 to 1786. He was also known as Friedrich der Große (Frederick the Great)
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