Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes
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'No matter how far our spiritual culture may continue to progress, no matter how much the natural sciences may grow, becoming ever more profound and more inclusive, no matter how much the human spirit may will to expand, that human spirit will never escape from the majesty and ethical sublimity of Christianity, as it shimmers and shines in the Gospels.'
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By the artist's seizing any one object from nature, that object no longer is part of nature. One can go so far as to say that theartist creates the object in that very moment by emphasizing its significant, characteristic, and interesting aspects or, rather, by adding the higher values.
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The artist alone sees spirits. But after he has told of their appearing to him, everybody sees them.
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The poet should seize the Particular, and he should, if there be anything sound in it, thus represent the Universal.
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Das Ewig-Weibliche zieht uns hinan.
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Ein echter deutscher Mann mag keinen Franzen leiden,Doch ihre Weine trinkt er gern.
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When you see some evil you proceed to immediate action, you make an immediate attack to cure the symptom.
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Investigate what is, and not what pleases.
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To make an epoch in the world, two conditions are manifestly essential-a good head and a great inheritance.
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Words are mere sound and smoke, dimming the heavenly light.
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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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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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The child, offered the mother's breast, Will not in the beginning grab it; But soon it clings to it with zest. And thus at wisdom's copious breasts You'll drink each day with greater zest.
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The experiences show us just as we are; they make us see our own defects.
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The best fortune that can fall to a man is that which corrects his defects and makes up for his failings.
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Even the lowliest, provided he is whole, can be happy, and in his own way, perfect.
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Be always resolute with the present hour. Every moment is of infinite value.
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Art is a mediator of the unspeakable.
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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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Excellence is rarely found, more rarely valued.
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The close and thoughtful observer more and more learns to recognize his limitations. He realizes that with the steady growth of knowledge more and more new problems keep on emerging.
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Superstition is the poesy of practical life; hence, a poet is none the worse for being superstitious.
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Superstition belongs to the essence of mankind and takes refuge, when one thinks one has suppressed it completely, in the strangest nooks and crannies; once it is safely ensconced there, it suddenly reappears.
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Man supposes that he directs his life and governs his actions, when his existence is irretrievably under the control of destiny.