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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.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
The work of art may have a moral effect, but to demand moral purpose from the artist is to make him ruin his work.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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Music is liquid architecture; Architecture is frozen music.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Kindness is the golden thread that holds society together.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Desire is the presentiment of our inner abilities, and the forerunner of our ultimate accomplishments.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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!
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Es irrt der Mensch, so lang er strebt.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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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.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
That which thy fathers have bequeathed to thee, earn it anew if thou wouldst possess it.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Life teaches us to be less harsh with ourselves and with others.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Sing it not in mournful numbers.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Common sense is the genius of humanity.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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Wer immer strebend sich bemüht,Den können wir erlösen.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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!
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Everything that liberates our mind without at the same time imparting self-control is pernicious.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Nature! We are surrounded by her and locked in her clasp: powerless to leave her, and powerless to come closer to her. Unasked and unwarned she takes us up into the whirl of her dance, and hurries on with us till we are weary and fall from her arms.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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Merely to breathe freely does not mean to live.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Self knowledge is best learned not by contemplation, but by action.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
So, lively brisk old fellow, don't let age get you down. White hairs or not, you can still be a lover.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Nature's crown is Love. Only through Love can we come near her. She puts gulfs between all things, and all things strive to be interfused. She isolates everything, that she may draw everything together. With a few draughts from the cup of Love she repays for a life full of trouble.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe