Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes
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Mysteries do not as yet amount to miracles.
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And now the sagacious reader, who is capable of reading into these lines what does not stand written in them, but is nevertheless implied, will be able to form some conception of the serious feelings with which I then set foot in Emmendingen.
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Merely to breathe freely does not mean to live.
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Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, And in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own. Not in the morning alone, not only at mid-day he charmeth; Even at setting, the sun is still the same glorious planet.
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Just as, out of habit, one consults a run-down clock as though it were still going, so too one may look at the face of a beautiful woman as though she were still in love.
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Music is liquid architecture; Architecture is frozen music.
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Desire is the presentiment of our inner abilities, and the forerunner of our ultimate accomplishments.
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The world runs on from one folly to another; and the man who, solely from regard to the opinion of others, and without any wish or necessity of his own, toils after gold, honour, or any other phantom, is no better than a fool.
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Wind is the loving Wooer of waters; Wind blends together Billows all-foaming. Spirit of man, Thou art like unto water! Fortune of man, Thou art like unto wind!
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Common sense is the genius of humanity.
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Es irrt der Mensch, so lang er strebt.
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All ages have said and repeated that one should strive to know one's self. This is a strange demand which no one up to now has measured up to and, strictly considered, no one should. With all their study and effort, people are directed to what is outside, to the world about them, and they are kept busy coming to know this and to master it to the extent that their purposes require. . . . How can you come to know yourself? Never by thinking, always by doing. Try to do your duty, and you'll know right away what you amount to. And what is your duty? Whatever the day calls for.
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Life teaches us to be less harsh with ourselves and with others.
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That which thy fathers have bequeathed to thee, earn it anew if thou wouldst possess it.
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Few people have the imagination for reality.
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I had toward the poetic art a peculiar relation which was only practical after I had cherished in my mind for a long time a subject which possessed me, a model which inspired me, a predecessor who attracted me, until at length, after I had molded it.
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Say what you will of fortitude, but show me the man who can patiently endure the laughter of fools when they have obtained an advantage over him. 'Tis only when their nonsense is without foundation that one can suffer it without complaint.
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Sing it not in mournful numbers.
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Wer immer strebend sich bemüht,Den können wir erlösen.
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If we meet someone who owes us a debt of gratitude, we remember the fact at once. How often we can meet someone to whom we owe a debt of gratitude without thinking about it at all!
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People say, "Artist, study nature!" But it is no small matter to develop what is noble out of what is common, beauty out of what lacks form.
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Everything that liberates our mind without at the same time imparting self-control is pernicious.
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There are but two roads that lead to an important goal and to the doing of great things: strength and perseverance. Strength is the lot of but a few privileged men; but austere perseverance, harsh and continuous, may be employed by the smallest of us and rarely fails of its purpose, for its silent power grows irresistibly greater with time.
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All beginnings are delightful; the threshold is the place to pause.