Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes
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A great artist... must be shaken by the naked truths that will not be comforted. This divine discontent, this disequilibrium, this state of inner tension is the source of artistic energy.
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I wish the stage were as narrow as the wire of a tighrope dancer so that no incompetent would dare step upon it.
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Reason can never be popular. Passions and feelings may become popular, but reason will always remain the sole property of a few eminent individuals.
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A phenomenon like Mozart remains an inexplicable thing.
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To accept good advice is but to increase one's own ability.
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A noble soul alone can noble souls attract; And knows alone, as ye, to hold them.
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The master proves himselin recognizing his limitations.
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Whatever Nature undertakes, she can only accomplish it in a sequence. She never makes a leap.
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No one has ever learned fully to know themselves.
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As for solitude, I cannot understand how certain people seek to lay claim to intellectual stature, nobility of soul and strength of character, yet have not the slightest feeling for seclusion; for solitude, I maintain, when joined with a quiet contemplation of nature, a serene and conscious faith in creation and the Creator, and a few vexations from outside is the only school for a mind of lofty endowment.
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None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.
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Great thoughts and a pure heart, that is what we should ask from God.
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What is the path? There is no path. On into the unknown.
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The whole history of the Christian Church is a mixture of errors and violence.
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People always fancy that we must become old to become wise; but, in truth, as years advance, it is hard to keep ourselves as wise as we were.
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Just begin and the mind grows heated; continue, and the task will be completed!
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Lose the day loitering, 'twill be the same story To-morrow, and the next more dilatory, For indecision brings its own delays, And days are lost lamenting o'er lost days. Are you in earnest? Seize this very minute! What you can do, or think you can, begin it! Only engage, and then the mind grows heated; Begin it, and the work will be completed.
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Let no one be like another, yet everyone like the highest. How is this done? Be each one perfect in himself.
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As soon as you are in a social setting, you better take away the key to the lock of your heart and pocket it; those who leave thekey in the lock are fools.
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Lose this day loitering 'Twill be the same old story, Tomorrow and the next, Even more dilatory. Whatever you would do, Or dream of doing, begin it! Boldness has power, genius, and magic in it. Begin it now.
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Woman is mistress of the art of completely imbittering the life of the person on whom she depends.
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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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When you lose interest in anything, you also lose the memory for it.
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The greatest difficulties lie where we are not looking for them.