Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes
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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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Great thoughts and a pure heart, that is what we should ask from God.
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Passions are vices or virtues to their highest powers.
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Manners form the great charm of women.
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What is part of you, you cannot get rid of, even if you were to throw it away.
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You shall abstain, shall abstain. That is the eternal song.
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The words you've bandied are sufficient; 'Tis deeds that I prefer to see.
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I have heard myself accused of being an opponent, an enemy of mathematics, which no one can value more highly than I, for it accomplishes the very thing whose achievement has been denied me.
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Great possessions and great want of them are both strong temptations.
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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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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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The smallest hair throws its shadow.
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The style of writing required in the great world is distinguished by a free and daring grace, a careless security, a fine and sharp polish, a delicate and perfect taste; while that fitted for the people is characterized by a vigorous natural fulness, a profound depth of feeling, and an engaging naivete.
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To be sure, we have inherited abilities, but our development we owe to thousands of influences coming from the world around us from which we appropriate what we can and what is suitable to us.
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Noble be man, helpful and good!
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Man is a simple being, and however rich, varied, and unfathomable he may be, the cycle of his situations is soon run through.
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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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Superstition is part of the poetry of life.
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The dignity of art probably appears most eminently with music since it does not have any material that needs to be discounted. Music is all form and content and elevates and ennobles everything that it expresses.
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It is ever true that he who does nothing for others, does nothing for himself.
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True works of art are a manifestation of the higher laws of nature.
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On top of the world, or in the depths of despair.
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Age childish makes, they say, but 'tis not true; We're only genuine children still in Age's season. [Ger., Das Alter macht nicht kindisch, wie man spricht, Es findet uns nur noch als wahre Kinder.]
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Always to distrust is an error, as well as always to trust.