Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes
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Humor is one of the elements of genius--admirable as an adjunct; but as soon as it becomes dominant, only a surrogate for genius.
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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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Against criticism a man can neither protest nor defend himself; he must act in spite of it, and then it will gradually yield to him.
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I make presents to the mother but think of the daughter.
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Those who have no hope for a future life are already dead for the present one.
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Democracy does not race, it reaches the finish slowly but surely.
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What makes poetry? A full heart, brimful of one noble passion.
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What then is your duty? What the day demands.
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Just begin and the mind grows heated; continue, and the task will be completed!
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Give me those days with heart in riot, The depths of bliss that touched on pain, The force of hate, and love's disquiet- Ah, give me back my youth again!
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Self-love exaggerates our faults as well as our virtues.
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People have a peculiar pleasure in making converts, that is, in causing others to enjoy what they enjoy, thus finding their own likeness represented and reflected back to them.
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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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No sacred fane requires us to submit to insult.
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Mediocrity has no greater consolation than in the thought that genius is not immortal.
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Stupidity is without anxiety.
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Every decided colour does a certain violence to the eye, and forces the organ to opposition.
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Faith is hidden household capital.
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Everyone believes in his youth that the world really began with him, and that all merely exists for his sake.
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Our virtues and view spring from one root.
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There is but one poetry-true poetry.
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There is no better deliverance from the world than through art, and a man can form no surer bond with it.
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One should not wish anyone disagreeable conditions of life; but for him who is involved in them by chance, they are touchstones of characters and of the most decisive value to man.
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Of all thieves, fools are the worst; they rob you of time and temper.