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 creation of importance can only be produced when its author isolates himself, it is a child of solitude. 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
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
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
Austere perseverance, hash and continuous... rarely fails of its purpose, for its silent power grows irresistible greater with time. 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
Beware of dissipating your powers; strive constantly to concentrate them. Genius thinks it can do whatever it sees others doing, but it is sure to repent every ill-judged outlay. 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
Don't dissipate your powers; strive to concentrate them. Genius thinks it can do whatever it sees others doing, but it will surely repent of every ill-judged outlay. 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
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
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 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 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 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 any many wish to write in a clear style, let him be first clear in his thoughts; and if any would write in a noble style, let him first possess a noble soul. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
If any wish to write in a clear style, let him be first clear in his thoughts; and if any would write in a noble style, let him first possess a noble soul. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
If children grew up according to early indications, we should have nothing but geniuses. 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 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
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
Life has been compared to a race, but the allusion improves by observing, that the most swift are usually the least manageable and the most likely to stray from the course. Great abilities have always been less serviceable to the possessors than moderate ones. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Many people take no care of their money till they come nearly to the end of it, and others do just the same with their time. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Master and Doctor are my titles; for ten years now, without repose, I held my erudite recitals and led my pupils by the nose. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Mathematicians are like Frenchmen: whatever you say to them they translate into their own language and forthwith it is something entirely different. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Men show their character in nothing more clearly than what they think laughable. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Nature knows no pause in progress and development, and attaches her curse on all inaction. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Not the maker of plans and promises, but rather the one who offers faithful service in small matters. This is the person who is most likely to achieve what is good and lasting. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
One ought every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and , if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Oral delivery aims at persuasion and making the listener believe they are converted. Few persons are capable of being convinced; the majority allow themselves to be persuaded. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Our passion are the true phoenixes; when the old one is burnt out, a new one rises from its ashes. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
People are so constituted that everybody would rather undertake what they see others do, whether they have an aptitude for it or not. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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
People of uncommon abilities generally fall into eccentricities when their sphere of life is not adequate to their abilities. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
People should talk less and draw more. Personally, I would like to renounce speech altogether and, like organic nature, communicate everything I have to say visually. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Progress has not followed a straight ascending line, but a spiral with rhythms of progress and retrogression, of evolution and dissolution. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Reason can never be popular. Passions and feelings may become popular, but reason will always remain the sole property of a few eminent individuals. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Science has been seriously retarded by the study of what is not worth knowing and of what is not knowable. 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
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
Talent develops in quiet places, character in the full current of human life. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Talents are best nurtured in solitude. Character is best formed in the stormy billows of the world. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The biggest problem with every art is by the use of appearance to create a loftier reality. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The bird alighteth not on the spread net when it beholds another bird in the snare. Take warning by the misfortunes of others, that others may not take example from you. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The Christian religion, though scattered and abroad will in the end gather itself together at the foot of the cross. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The most happy man is he who knows how to bring into relation the end and beginning of his life. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The most original of authors are not so because they advance what is new, but more because they know how to say something, as if it had never been said before. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The people who are absent are the ideal; those who are present seem to be quite commonplace. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The person born with a talent they are meant to use will find their greatest happiness in using it. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The person of analytic or critical intellect finds something ridiculous in everything. The person of synthetic or constructive intellect, in almost nothing. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The phrases that men hear or repeat continually, end by becoming convictions and ossify the organs of intelligence. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The really unhappy person is the one who leaves undone what they can do, and starts doing what they don't understand; no wonder they come to grief. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The world is so empty if one thinks only of mountains, rivers and cities; but to know someone here and there who thinks and feels with us, and though distant, is close to us in spirit - this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
There is a courtesy of the heart; it is allied to love. From its springs the purest courtesy in the outward behavior. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
There is no past that we can bring back by longing for it. There is only an eternally new now that builds and creates itself out of the Best as the past withdraws. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
There is nothing in the world more shameful than establishing one's self on lies and fables. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
There is nothing in which people more betray their character than in what they laugh at. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
To know someone here or there with whom you can feel there is understanding in spite of distances or thoughts expressed - that can make life a garden. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Traveling is like gambling: it is always connected with winning and losing, and generally where it is least expected we receive, more or less than what we hoped for. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
We are forced to participate in the games of life before we can possibly learn how to use the options in the rules governing them. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
We lay aside letters never to read them again, and at last we destroy them out of discretion, and so disappears the most beautiful, the most immediate breath of life, irrecoverable for ourselves and for others. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Whether a person shows themselves to be a genius in science or in writing a song, the only point is, whether the thought, the discovery, or the deed, is living and can live on. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Who is the most sensible person? The one who finds what is to their own advantage in all that happens to them. 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
Whoever, in middle age, attempts to realize the wishes and hopes of his early youth, invariably deceives himself. Each ten years of a man's life has its own fortunes, its own hopes, its own desires. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
