Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes
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Analysis and synthesis are both as necessary to the thinking spirit as inspiration and expiration to the organism.
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Nothing is worse than active ignorance.
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Es gibt kein äußeres Zeichen der Höflichkeit, das nicht einen tiefen sittlichen Grund hätte. Die rechte Erziehung wäre, welche dieses Zeichen und den Grund zugleich überlieferte.
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One's roused by this, another finds that fit: Each loves the play for what he brings to it.
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Two souls dwell, alas! in my breast.
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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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He who cannot love must learn to flatter.
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The mortal race is far too weak not to grow dizzy on unwonted brights.
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Thinking is more interesting than knowing, but less interesting than looking.
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Misunderstandings and neglect create more confusion in this world than trickery and malice. At any rate, the last two are certainly much less frequent.
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No one should be rich except those who understand it.
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All one needs to do is declare oneself free and one will immediately feel dependent. If you dare to declare yourself dependent, you feel independent.
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Marriage is the beginning and pinnacle of civilization.
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Many people take no care of their money till they come nearly to the end of it, and others do just the same with their time.
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Can a sparrow know how a stork feels?
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Were the eye not of the sun, How could we behold the light? If God's might and ours were not as one, How could His work enchant our sight?
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Ill-humor is nothing more than an inward feeling of our own want of merit, a dissatisfaction with ourselves which is always united with an envy that foolish vanity excites.
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Every reader, if he has a strong mind, reads himself into the book, and amalgamates his thoughts with those of the author.
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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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God help us -- for art is long, and life so short.
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The greatest difficulties lie where we are not looking for them.
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Generosity wins favour for everyone, especially when it is accompanied by modesty.
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No one feels himself easy in a garden which does not look like the open country.
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Every second is of infinite value.