"Novels tend to end as the Paternoster begins: with the kingdom of God on earth"

Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel's quote recommends that books often end with a sense of hope and optimism. This is similar to the Paternoster, a Christian prayer which starts with the phrase "Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven". This prayer expresses a desire for God's kingdom to be established in the world, and Schlegel's quote indicates that books frequently end with a comparable sentiment. This could be interpreted as a reflection of the author's own beliefs, or as a way of providing the reader with a sense of closure and resolution. It might also be seen as a way of communicating a message of hope and optimism, that in spite of the battles and problems faced by the characters, there is still a chance for a much better future. Ultimately, Schlegel's quote suggests that books often end with a sense of hope and optimism, and a desire for a better world.