Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes
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The question "From where does the poet get it?" addresses only the what, nobody learns anything about the how when asking that question.
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Courage is the commitment to begin without any guarantee of success.
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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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If God had wanted me otherwise, He would have created me otherwise.
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Everything perfect in its kind has to transcend its own kind, it must become something different and incomparable. In some notes the nightingale is still a bird; then it rises above its class and seems to suggest to every winged creature what singing is truly like.
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Only the soul that loves is happy.
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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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Tell me with whom you associate, and I will tell you who you are.
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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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I respect the man who knows distinctly what he wants.
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Animals, we have been told, are taught by their organs. Yes, I would add, and so are men, but men have this further advantage that they can also teach their organs in return.
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If you have a great work in your head, nothing else thrives near it; all other thoughts are repelled, and the pleasure of life itself is for the time lost.
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If you inquire what people are like here, I must answer, "The same as everywhere."
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Noble be man, helpful and good!
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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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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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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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Great thoughts and a pure heart, that is what we should ask from God.
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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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A vain man can never be altogether rude. Desirous as he is of pleasing, he fashions his manners after those of others.
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Children, love one another, and if that is not possible-at least try to put up with one another.
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Faith is hidden household capital.
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Hatred is partial, but love is still more so.
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If ever the Divine appeared on earth, it was in the person of Christ.