Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes
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The most difficult thing is what is thought to be the simplest; to really see the things which are before your eyes.
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If you must tell me your opinions, tell me what you believe in. I have plenty of doubts of my own.
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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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No skill or art is needed to grow old; the trick is to endure it.
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Ich bin der Geist der stets verneint.
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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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If you wish to advance into the infinite, explore the finite in all directions.
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Piety is not an end but a means to attain by the greatest peace of mind the highest degree of culture.
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It is in human nature to relax, when not compelled by personal advantage or disadvantage.
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As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.
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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 ideal of beauty is simplicity and tranquility.
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Viewed from the summit of reason, all life looks like a malignant disease and the world like a madhouse.
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A good person, striving dimly, Is well aware of the right path.
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Amerika, du hast es besser-als unser Kontinent, der alte.
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In der Kunst ist das Beste gut genug.
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But when all is said, the greatest art is to limit and isolate oneself.
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We gladly put antiquity above our age but not posterity. Only a father doesn't begrudge his son's talent.
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You must either conquer and rule or serve and lose, suffer or triumph, be the anvil or the hammer.
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What one has wished for in youth, in old age one has in abundance.
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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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I had rather be Mercury, the smallest among seven planets, revolving round the sun, than the first among five moons revolving round Saturn.
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Wer fremde Sprachen nicht kennt, weiß nichts von seiner eigenen.
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Someday someone will write a pathology of experimental physics and bring to light all those swindles which subvert our reason, beguile our judgement and, what is worse, stand in the way of any practical progress. The phenomena must be freed once and for all from their grim torture chamber of empiricism, mechanism, and dogmatism; they must be brought before the jury of man's common sense.