Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes
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People are so constituted that everybody would rather undertake what they see others do, whether they have an aptitude for it or not.
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Piety, like nobility, has its aristocracy.
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The society of women is the element of good manners.
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Whatever liberates our spirit, without also giving us mastery over ourselves, is destructive.
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Behaviour is a mirror in which everyone shows his image.
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All perishable is but an allegory.
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Experiments are mediators between nature and idea.
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Hypotheses are only the pieces of scaffolding which are erected round a building during the course of construction, and which are taken away as soon as the edifice is completed.
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The decline in literature indicates a decline in the nation. The two keep pace in their downward tendency.
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English plays, Atrocious in content, Absurd in form, Objectionable in action, Execrable English Theatre.
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As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.
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Who strives always to the utmost, him can we save.
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The one who always strives, That one can be redeemed.
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Nicht vor Irrthum zu bewahren, ist die Pflicht des Menschen erziehers; sondern den Irrenden zu leiten, ja ihn seinen Irrthum aus vollen Bechern ausschlürfen zu lassen, das ist Weisheit der Lehrer. Wer seinen Irrthum nur kostet, hält lange damit Haus; er freuet sich dessen als eines seltenen Glücks; aber wer ihn ganz erschöpft, der muß ihn kennenlernen.
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Here too it’s masquerade, I find: As everywhere, the dance of mind. I grasped a lovely masked procession, And caught things from a horror show… I’d gladly settle for a false impression, If it would last a little longer, though.
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With little wit and ease to suit them, They whirl in narrow circling trails, Like kittens playing with their tails.
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But when all is said, the greatest art is to limit and isolate oneself.
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The shudder of awe is humanity's highest faculty, Even though this world is forever altering its values.
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Each indecision brings its own delays and days are lost lamenting over lost days... What you can do or think you can do, begin it. For boldness has magic, power, and genius in it.
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Modern poets add a lot of water to their ink.
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Shakespeare is a great psychologist, and whatever can be known of the heart of man may be found in his plays.
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In every artist there is a touch of audacity without which no talent is conceivable.
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Every form correctly seen is beautiful.
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Wer fremde Sprachen nicht kennt, weiß nichts von seiner eigenen.