Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes
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On top of the world, or in the depths of despair.
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The use of a thing is only a part of its significance. To know anything thoroughly, to have the full command of it in all its appliances, we must study it on its own account, independently of any special application.
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As great, everlasting, Adamantine laws Dictate, we must all Complete the cycles Of our existence.
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There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings.
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Any trifle is enough to entertain two lovers.
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The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone.
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No wise combatant underestimates their antagonist.
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Writing history is a method of getting rid of the past.
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What sort of God would it be, who only pushed from without.
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No one feels himself easy in a garden which does not look like the open country.
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Only the soul that loves is happy.
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The day is committed to error and floundering; success and achievement are matters of long range.
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We love a girl for very different qualities than understanding. We love her for her beauty, her youth, her mirth, her confidingness, her character, with its faults, caprices and God knows what other inexpressible charms; but we do not love her understanding.
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The church alone beyond all question Has for ill-gotten goods the right digestion.
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Nature goes her own way, and all that to us seems an exception is really according to order.
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Yes! to this thought I hold with firm persistence; The last result of wisdom stamps it true; He only earns his freedom and existence Who daily conquers them anew.
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The worst is that the very hardest thinking will not bring thoughts. They must come like good children of God and cry, "Here we are." You expend effort and energy thinking hard. Then, after you have given up, they come sauntering in with their hands in their pockets. If the effort had not been made to open the door, however, who knows when they could have come.
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Fortunately, we can take in only so much misfortune; what exceeds that limit either destroys us or leaves us indifferent.
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It is easier to perceive error than to find truth, for the former lies on the surface and is easily seen, while the latter lies in the depth, where few are willing to search for it.
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It seems to me that every phenomenon, every fact, itself is the really interesting object. Whoever explains it, or connects it with other events, usually only amuses himself or makes sport of us, as, for instance, the naturalist or historian. But a single action or event is interesting, not because it is explainable, but because it is true.
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The desire to explain what is simple by what is complex, what is easy by what is difficult, is a calamity.
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All our knowledge is symbolic.
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All is born of water; all is sustained by water.
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I always had an aversion to your apostles of freedom; each but sought for himself freedom to do what he liked.