Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes
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People may live as much retired from the world as they please; but sooner or later, before they are aware, they will find themselves debtor or creditor to somebody.
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Some of our weaknesses are born in us, others are the result of education; it is a question which of the two gives us most trouble.
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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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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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Faith is hidden household capital.
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Passions are vices or virtues to their highest powers.
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If a man knows where to get good advice, it is as though he could supply it himself.
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Every great idea exerts, on first appearing, a tyrannical influence: Hence, the advantages it brings are turned all too soon into disadvantages.
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I make presents to the mother but think of the daughter.
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Marriage is the beginning and pinnacle of civilization.
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Napoleon affords us an example of the danger of elevating one's self to the absolute, and sacrificing everything to the carrying out of an idea.
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Any trifle is enough to entertain two lovers.
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We blame equally him who is too proud to put a proper value on his own merit and him who prizes too highly his spurious worth.
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Fortunately, we can take in only so much misfortune; what exceeds that limit either destroys us or leaves us indifferent.
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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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The soul-stirring image of death is no bugbear to the sage, and is looked on without despair by the pious. It teaches the former to live, and it strengthens the hopes of the latter in salvation in the midst of distress. Death is new life to both.
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The assault of our enemies is not part of our life; it is only part of our experience; we throw it off and guard ourselves against it as against frost, storm, rain, hail, or any other of the external evils which may be expected to happen.
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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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Two souls dwell, alas! in my breast.
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Napoleon for the sake of a good name broke in pieces half the world.
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Whoever aspiring, struggles on, for him there is salvation.
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It is better to be deceived by one's friends than to deceive them.
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Courage is the commitment to begin without any guarantee of success.