Popular

Browse Popular Topics

Quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe


As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

He only earns his freedom and his life who takes them every day by storm.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

What is not started today is never finished tomorrow.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A clever man commits no minor blunders.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A collections of anecdotes and maxims is the greatest of treasures for the man of the world, for he knows how to intersperse conversation with the former in fit places, and to recollect the latter on proper occasions.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A correct answer is like an affectionate kiss.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A creation of importance can only be produced when its author isolates himself, it is a child of solitude.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A leaf that is destined to grow large is full of grooves and wrinkles at the start. Now if one has no patience and wants it smooth offhand like a willow leaf, there is trouble ahead.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A man's manners are a mirror in which he shows his portrait.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A person hears only what they understand.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A person is never happy till their vague strivings has itself marked out its proper limitations.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A person places themselves on a level with the ones they praise.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A purpose you impart is no longer your own.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A really great talent finds its happiness in execution.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A useless life is an early death.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Age merely shows what children we remain.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Alas! sorrow from happiness is oft evolved.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
All the knowledge I possess everyone else can acquire, but my heart is all my own.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
All theory, dear friend, is gray, but the golden tree of life springs ever green.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
All things are only transitory.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
All truly wise thoughts have been thought already thousands of times; but to make them truly ours, we must think them over again honestly, till they take root in our personal experience.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
An unused life is an early death.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Austere perseverance, hash and continuous... rarely fails of its purpose, for its silent power grows irresistible greater with time.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Be above it! Make the world serve your purpose, but do not serve it.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Be generous with kindly words, especially about those who are absent.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Beauty is a manifestation of secret natural laws, which otherwise would have been hidden from us forever.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Beauty is a primeval phenomenon, which itself never makes its appearance, but the reflection of which is visible in a thousand different utterances of the creative mind, and is as various as nature herself.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Beauty is everywhere a welcome guest.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Behavior is the mirror in which everyone shows their image.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Being brilliant is no great feat if you respect nothing.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Certain defects are necessary for the existence of individuality.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Certain flaws are necessary for the whole. It would seem strange if old friends lacked certain quirks.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Character develops itself in the stream of life.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Character, in great and little things, means carrying through what you feel able to do.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Common sense is the genius of humanity.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Correction does much, but encouragement does more.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward; they may be beaten, but they may start a winning game.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Death is a commingling of eternity with time; in the death of a good man, eternity is seen looking through time.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Deeply earnest and thoughtful people stand on shaky footing with the public.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Destiny grants us our wishes, but in its own way, in order to give us something beyond our wishes.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Devote each day to the object then in time and every evening will find something done.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Divide and rule, the politician cries; unite and lead, is watchword of the wise.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Do not give in too much to feelings. A overly sensitive heart is an unhappy possession on this shaky earth.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Each indecision brings its own delays and days are lost lamenting over lost days... What you can do or think you can do, begin it. For boldness has magic, power, and genius in it.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Enjoy what thou has inherited from thy sires if thou wouldn't really possess it. What we employ and use is never an oppressive burden; what the moment brings forth, that only can it profit by.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Every author in some way portrays himself in his works, even if it be against his will.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Every person above the ordinary has a certain mission that they are called to fulfill.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Every spoken word arouses our self-will.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Every step of life shows much caution is required.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Everybody wants to be somebody; nobody wants to grow.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Everyone hears only what he understands.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Everything in the world may be endured except continual prosperity.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Few people have the imagination for reality.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
First and last, what is demanded of genius is love of truth.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
For a man to achieve all that is demanded of him he must regard himself as greater than he is.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
For just when ideas fail, a word comes in to save the situation.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Freedom consists not in refusing to recognize anything above us, but in respecting something which is above us; for by respecting it, we raise ourselves to it, and, by our very acknowledgment, prove that we bear within ourselves what is higher, and are worthy to be on a level with it.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Fresh activity is the only means of overcoming adversity.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Girls we love for what they are; young men for what they promise to be.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Happiness is a ball after which we run wherever it rolls, and we push it with our feet when it stops.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Hatred is active, and envy passive dislike; there is but one step from envy to hate.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Hatred is something peculiar. You will always find it strongest and most violent where there is the lowest degree of culture.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
He is dead in this world who has no belief in another.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
He who does not think much of himself is much more esteemed than he imagines.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
He who enjoys doing and enjoys what he has done is happy.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
He who has a task to perform must know how to take sides, or he is quite unworthy of it.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
He who is plenteously provided for from within, needs but little from without.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
How can we know ourselves? Never by reflection, but only through action. Begin at once to do your duty and immediately you will know what is inside you.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
How can you come to know yourself? Never by thinking; always by doing. Try to do your duty, and you'll know right away what you amount to.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
I call architecture frozen music.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
I can tell you, honest friend, what to believe: believe life; it teaches better that book or orator.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
I do not know myself, and God forbid that I should.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
I respect the man who knows distinctly what he wishes. The greater part of all mischief in the world arises from the fact that men do not sufficiently understand their own aims. They have undertaken to build a tower, and spend no more labor on the foundation than would be necessary to erect a hut.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
I think that I am better than the people who are trying to reform me.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
I will listen to anyone's convictions, but pray keep your doubts to yourself.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
If a good person does you wrong, act as though you had not noticed it. They will make note of this and not remain in your debt long.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
If a man or woman is born ten years sooner or later, their whole aspect and performance shall be different.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
If a man writes a book, let him set down only what he knows. I have guesses enough of my own.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
If children grew up according to early indications, we should have nothing but geniuses.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
If God had wanted me otherwise, He would have created me otherwise.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
If I love you, what does that matter to you!
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
If I say to the moment: 'Stay now! You are so beautiful'!
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
If the mass of people hesitate to act, strike with swiftly and with boldness, the brave heart that understands and seizes opportunity can everything.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
If you modestly enjoy your fame you are not unworthy to rank with the holy.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
If you must tell me your opinions, tell me what you believe in. I have plenty of doubts of my own.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
If you start to think of your physical and moral condition, you usually find that you are sick.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
If you wish to know the mind of a man, listen to his words.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
If your treat an individual... as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Ignorant men raise questions that wise men answered a thousand years ago.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
In art the best is good enough.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
In politics, as on the sickbed, people toss from side to side, thinking they will be more comfortable.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
In the realm of ideas everything depends on enthusiasm... in the real world all rests on perseverance.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
It is better to be deceived by one's friends than to deceive them.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
It is easier to perceive error than to find truth, for the former lies on the surface and is easily seen, while the latter lies in the depth, where few are willing to search for it.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
It is in self-limitation that a master first shows himself.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
It is not doing the thing we like to do, but liking the thing we have to do, that makes life blessed.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
It is the strange fate of man, that even in the greatest of evils the fear of the worst continues to haunt him.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe