Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes
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Napoleon for the sake of a good name broke in pieces half the world.
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No one feels himself easy in a garden which does not look like the open country.
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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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The mediator of the inexpressible is the work of art.
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Just trust yourself and you'll learn the art of living.
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Nothing is worse than active ignorance.
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No one would talk much in society if they knew how often they misunderstood others.
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Marriage is the beginning and pinnacle of civilization.
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No one should be rich except those who understand it.
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When we treat man as he is, we make him worse than he is; when we treat him as if he already were what he potentially could be, we make him what he should be.
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We can most safely achieve truly universal tolerance when we respect that which is characteristic in the individual and in nations, clinging, though, to the conviction that the truly meritorious is unique by belonging to all of mankind.
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The man of understanding finds everything laughable.
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My worthy friend, gray are all theories And green alone Life's golden tree.
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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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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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In art it's not the thinking that does the job, but making.
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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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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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Every man has enough power left to carry out that of which he is convinced.
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For that is love's nature that it lays claim to exclusive right and that all other claims are nil.
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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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When I make a mistake everyone can see it, but not when I lie.
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Nature has neither core nor skin: she’s both at once outside and in.