Johann Wolfgang von Goethe famous quotes
Last updated: Jul 22, 2024
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He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
If we could do away with death, we wouldn't object; to do away with capital punishment will be more difficult. Were that to happen, we would reinstate it from time to time.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Correction does much, but encouragement does more.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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The person born with a talent they are meant to use will find their greatest happiness in using it.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Wisdom is found only in truth.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise, we harden.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Our passions are the true phoenixes; when the old one is burnt out, a new one rises from its ashes.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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I love those who yearn for the impossible.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Plunge boldly into the thick of life, and seize it where you will, it is always interesting.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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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.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
I hate all bungling as I do sin, but particularly bungling in politics, which leads to the misery and ruin of many thousands and millions of people.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
This is the highest wisdom that I own; freedom and life are earned by those alone who conquer them each day anew.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never have otherwise occurred...unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Who is the wisest man? He who neither knows or wishes for anything else than what happens.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Every man has enough power left to carry out that of which he is convinced.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Oblivion is full of people who allow the opinions of others to overrule their belief in themselves.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Distance... is like futurity. A dim vastness is spread before our souls; the perceptions of our mind are as obscure as those of our vision... But alas! when we have attained our object, when the distant 'there' becomes the present 'here,' all is changed; we are as poor and circumscribed as ever, and our souls still languish for unattainable happiness.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
He who is firm and resolute in will molds the world to himself.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
There is no crime of which I do not deem myself capable.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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Sometimes I don't understand how another can love her, is allowed to love her, since I love her so completely myself, so intensely, so fully, grasp nothing, know nothing, have nothing but her!
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Nothing is more disgusting than the majority: because it consists of a few powerful predecessors, of rogues who adapt themselves, of weak who assimilate themselves, and the masses who imitate without knowing at all what they want.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
I treat my heart like a sick child and gratify its every fancy
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
People of uncommon abilities generally fall into eccentricities when their sphere of life is not adequate to their abilities.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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if only these treasures were not so fragile as they are precious and beautiful.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
If you call a thing bad you do little, if you call a thing good you do much
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
If you want to make life easy, make it hard.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
The sum which two married people owe to one another defies calculation. It is an infinite debt, which can only be discharged through all eternity.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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When a wife has a good husband, it is easily seen on her face.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
The further one advances in experience, the closer one comes to the unfathomable; the more one learns to utilize experience, the more one recognizes that the unfathomable is of no practical value.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Take care of your body with steadfast fidelity. The soul must see through these eyes alone, and if they are dim, the whole world is clouded.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
It is in human nature to relax, when not compelled by personal advantage or disadvantage.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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He who is and remains true to himself and to others has the most attractive quality of the greatest talent.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
The deepest, the only theme of human history, compared to which all others are of subordinate importance, is the conflict of skepticism with faith.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Correction does much, but encouragement does more. Encouragement after censure is as the sun after a shower.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
We can really respect a man only if he doesn't always look out for himself.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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A flippant, frivolous man may ridicule others, may controvert them, scorn them; but he who has any respect for himself seems to have renounced the right of thinking meanly of others.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
He who is plenteously provided for from within needs but little from without.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
What chance gathers, she easily scatters. A great person attracts great people and knows how to hold them together.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
In art, the best is good enough.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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People have a peculiar pleasure in making converts, that is, in causing others to enjoy what they enjoy, thus finding their own likeness represented and reflected back to them.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Never by reflection, but only by doing is self- knowledge possible to one.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
A joy shared is a joy doubled.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Wine rejoices the heart of man and joy is the mother of all virtues.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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We can offer up much in the large, but to make sacrifices in little things is what we are seldom equal to.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
What you can do, or think you can, begin it.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
We are so constituted that we believe the most incredible things; and, once they are engraved upon the memory, woe to him who would endeavor to erase them.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
There is no better deliverance from the world than through art, and a man can form no surer bond with it.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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It is not enough to take steps which may someday lead to a goal; each step must be itself a goal and a step likewise.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
If you wish to advance into the infinite, explore the finite in all directions.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
You accuse a woman of wavering affections, but don't blame her; she is just looking for a consistent man.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
The hero draws inspiration from the virtue of his ancestors.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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Desire is the presentiment of our inner abilities, and the forerunner of our ultimate accomplishments.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
We can always redeem the man who aspires and strives.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Everywhere, we learn only from those whom we love.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Every second is of infinite value.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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By nature we have no defect that could not become a strength, no strength that could not become a defect.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
To accept good advice is but to increase one's own ability.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
He who cannot love must learn to flatter.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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Whatever necessity lays upon thee, endure; whatever she commands, do.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
One alone does not help, but rather he who unites with many at the right moment.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
It is the nature of grace always to fill spaces that have been empty.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
If nature is your teacher, your soul will awaken.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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Words are good, but there is something better. The best is not to be explained by words. The spirit in which we act is the chief matter. Action can only be understood and represented by the spirit.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Boldness has power, magic and genius in it.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
What is hardest of all? That which seems most simple: to see with your eyes what is before your eyes.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
There are two things parents should give their children roots and wings. Roots to give them bearing and a sense of belonging, but also wings to help free them from constraints and prejudices and give them other ways to travel (or rather, to fly).
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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The century is advanced, but every individual begins afresh.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
The world is so great and rich, and life so full of variety, that you can never lack occasions for poems.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
The artist has a twofold relation to nature; he is at once her master and her slave.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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A great artist... must be shaken by the naked truths that will not be comforted. This divine discontent, this disequilibrium, this state of inner tension is the source of artistic energy.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Perfection is the measure of heaven, and the wish to be perfect the measure of man.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Talent develops in quiet, alone; character is sharpened in the torrent of the world.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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The happy do not believe in miracles.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and, if possible, speak a few sensible words.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
The way you see people is the way you treat them, and the way you treat them is what they become.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
If I love you, what business is it of yours?
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward; they may be beaten, but they may start a winning game.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
He who possesses art and science has religion; he who does not possess them, needs religion.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
One can be instructed in society, one is inspired only in solitude.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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Be generous with kindly words, especially about those who are absent.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Devote each day to the object then in time and every evening will find something done.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
The intelligent man finds almost everything ridiculous, the sensible man hardly anything.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
Personality is everything in art and poetry.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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Beauty is everywhere a welcome guest.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
A useless life is an early death.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
What is my life if I am no longer useful to others.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
He only earns his freedom and his life Who takes them every day by storm.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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We are never deceived; we deceive ourselves.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
One must ask children and birds how cherries and strawberries taste.
-- 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 -
Everybody wants to be somebody; nobody wants to grow.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
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