Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes
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Over all the mountain tops is peace.
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Nature knows no pause in progress and development, and attaches her curse on all inaction.
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Certain books seem to be written, not that we might learn from them, but in order that we might see how much the author knows.
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A good man, through obscurest aspirations Has still an instinct of the one true way.
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Theories are usually the over-hasty efforts of an impatient understanding that would gladly be rid of phenomena, and so puts in their place pictures, notions, nay, often mere words.
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When I make a mistake everyone can see it, but not when I lie.
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Democracy does not race, it reaches the finish slowly but surely.
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Any trifle is enough to entertain two lovers.
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Every day I observe more and more the folly of judging of others by ourselves; and I have so much trouble with myself, and my own heart is in such constant agitation, that I am well content to let others pursue their own course, if they only allow me the same privilege.
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Every man has enough power left to carry out that of which he is convinced.
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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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It is the strange fate of man, that even in the greatest of evils the fear of the worst continues to haunt him.
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In the realm of ideas everything depends on enthusiasm... in the real world all rests on perseverance.
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To appear at church every Sunday; to look down upon, and let himself be looked at for an hour by the congregation, is the best means of becoming popular which can be recommended to a young sovereign.
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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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Nothing is worse than active ignorance.
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Everything which is properly business we must keep carefully separate from life. Business requires earnestness and method; life must have a freed handling.
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All truths are old, and all that we have to do is recognize and utter them anew.
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Superstition is the poetry of life. It is inherent in man's nature; and when we think it is wholly eradicated, it takes refuge in the strangest holes and corners, whence it peeps out all at once, as soon as it can do it with safety.
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Passions are vices or virtues to their highest powers.
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Mediocrity has no greater consolation than in the thought that genius is not immortal.
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Men are much more apt to agree in what they do than in what they think.
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He who is plenteously provided for from within needs but little from without.
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No one should be rich except those who understand it.