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Seldom in the business and transactions of ordinary life, do we find the sympathy we want. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Seldom Life Business Transactions Ordinary

Only that type of story deserves to be called moral that shows us that one has the power within oneself to act, out of the conviction that there is something better, even against one's own inclination. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Act Inclination Type Story Deserves

There is no past we can bring back by longing for it. There is only an eternal now that builds and creates out of the past something new and better. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Past Bring Back Longing Eternal

Tell a wise person, or else keep silent,because the mass man will mock it right away.I praise what is truly alive,what longs to be burned to death.In the calm water of the love-nights,where you were begotten, where you have begotten,a strange feeling comes over you,when you see the silent candle burning.Now you are no longer caughtin the obsession with darkness,and a desire for higher love-makingsweeps you upward.Distance does not make you falter.Now, arriving in magic, flying,and finally, insane for the light,you are the butterfly and you are gone.And so long as you haven't experienced this: to die and so to grow,you are only a troubled gueston the dark earth. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Person Begotten Falternow Arriving Magic

Ill-humor is nothing more than an inward feeling of our own want of merit, a dissatisfaction with ourselves which is always united with an envy that foolish vanity excites. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Illhumor Merit Excites Feeling Dissatisfaction

No: ill-humour arises from an inward consciousness of our own want of merit, from a discontent which ever accompanies that envy which foolish vanity engenders. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Illhumour Merit Engenders Arises Consciousness

PATER PROFUNDUS. [Far below] The chasm at my feet, dark, yawning, Rests on a chasm deeper still, A thousand streams, their waters joining, In a cascade terrific fall; The tree's own life, its strength from nature, Its trunk lifts skywards straight and tall - All, all, show love's almighty power That shapes all things, cares for them all. The storm breaks round me, fiercely howling, The woods, ravines, all seem to quake, 12240 And yet, swelled by the deluge falling, The torrent plunges down the rock To water lovingly the valley; The lightning burns the overcast And clears the air, now smelling freshly, Of all its foulness, dankness, mist - All love proclaim! the creating power By which the whole world is embraced. Oh kindle, too, in me your fire, Whose thoughts, disordered, cold, depressed, 12250 Inside the cage of dull sense languish, Tormented, helpless, hard beset! Dear God, relieve my spirit's anguish, My needy heart illuminate! By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Pater Profundus Chasm Love Power

Glib tongues frill up their hash of knowledgefor mankind in polished speechesthat are no more than vaporous windsrustling the fallen leaves in autumn. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Glib Autumn Tongues Frill Hash

Were not the eye made to receive the rays of the sun, it could not behold the sun; if the peculiar power of God lay not in us, how could the godlike charm us? By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Sun God Eye Made Receive

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. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Criticism Man Protest Defend Act

How happy I am that my heart can feel the simple, harmless bliss of the person who brings to his table a cabbage he has grown himself, not just the cabbage alone but all the good days, the beautiful morning he planted it, the lovely evenings he watered it, and as he had his joy in its advancing growth, he enjoys it all again in the one moment. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Cabbage Simple Harmless Days Growth

To make a young couple love each other, it is only necessary to oppose and separate them. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Make Young Couple Love Oppose

Nature! We are enveloped and embraced by her, incapable of emerging from her and incapable of entering her more deeply. Unbidden and unwarned, she receives us into the circuits of her dance, drifting onward with us herself, until we grow tired and drop from her arms. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Nature Incapable Deeply Enveloped Embraced

To live as one likes is plebian the noble man aspires to order and law. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Law Live Plebian Noble Man

My friend!" I exclaimed, "man is but man; and, whatever be the extent of his reasoning powers, they are of little avail when passion rages within, and he feels himself confined by the narrow limits of nature. It were better, then - but we will talk of this some other time," I said, and caught up my hat. Alas! my heart was full; and we parted without conviction on either side. How rarely in this world do men understand each other! August By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Friend Man Exclaimed Powers Nature

Thinking is more interesting than knowing, but less interesting than looking. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Interesting Thinking Knowing

Nature! We live in her midst and know her not. She is incessantly speaking to us, but betrays not her secret. We constantly act upon her, and yet have no power over her. Variant: NATURE! We are surrounded and embraced by her: powerless to separate ourselves from her, and powerless to penetrate beyond her. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Nature Powerless Live Midst Secret

Shame upon him who can look on calmly, and exclaim,'The foolish girl! she should have waited; she should haveallowed time to wear off the impression; her despair wouldhave been softened, and she would have found another loverto comfort her.' One might as well say, 'The fool, to die of afever! why did he not wait till his strength was restored, tillhis blood became calm? all would then have gone well, andhe would have been alive now. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Shame Calmly Exclaim Girl Foolish

What am I then ... ? Everything that I have seen, heard, and observed I have collected and exploited. My works have been nourished by countless different individuals, by innocent and wise ones, people of intelligence and dunces. Childhood, maturity and old age all have brought me their thoughts ... their perspectives on life. I have often reaped what others have sowed. My work is the work of a collective being that bears the name Goethe. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Work Goethe Heard Exploited Childhood

We cannot too soon convince ourselves how easily we may be dispensed with in the world. What important personages we imagine ourselves to be! We think that we alone are the life of the circle in which we move; in our absence, we fancy that life, existence, breath will come to a general pause, and, alas, the gap which we leave is scarcely perceptible, so quickly is it filled again; nay, it is often the place, if not of something better, at least for something more agreeable. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe World Convince Easily Dispensed Life

When I go out by the gateway, taking the road I drove along that first time I picked up Lotte for the ball, how very different it all is! It is all over, all of it! There is not a hint of the world that once was, not one bulse-beat of those past emotions. I feel like a ghost returning to the burnt-out ruins of the castle he built in his prime as a prince, which he adorned with magnificent splendours and then, on his deathbed, but full of hope, left to his beloved son By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Lotte Gateway Taking Ball Road

All truths are old, and all that we have to do is recognize and utter them anew. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Anew Truths Recognize Utter

Father! Whom I do not know! Father! who filled all my soul and who has now turned His countenance away from me! Call me to You! Be silent no longer! Your silence will not stay this thirsting soul - and could a person, a father, be angry whose son, unexpectedly returning, threw himself on his neck and cried: Father! I have come back! Don't be angry that I am breaking off the travels that you meant for me to endure longer. The world is everywhere the same, in effort and work, reward and joy, but what is that to me? I am only happy where you are, and it is before your countenance that I want to suffer and enjoy. - And You, dear heavenly Father, would turn him away from You? By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Father Longer Soul Angry Countenance

They make life unnecessarily difficult for themselves by looking for deep thoughts and ideas everywhere and putting them into everything. just have the courage togive yourself up to first impressions..don't think all the time thateverything must be pointless if it lacks an abstract thought or idea By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Make Life Unnecessarily Difficult Deep

What undermines my heart is the devouring force which lies hidden in the universe of nature and which creates nothing that does not destroy its neighbour and itself. And so I reel in fear, the energies of heaven and earth weaving around me. And all I see is an eternally devouring, eternally regurgitating monster. 21 By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Undermines Heart Force Lies Hidden

Dear me! how long is art!And short is our life!I often know amid the scholar's strifeA sinking feeling in my mind and heart.How difficult the means are to be foundBy which the primal sources may be breached;And long before the halfway point is reached,They bury a poor devil in the ground. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Dear Long Art Life Breached

Pain and pleasure, good and evil, come to us from unexpected sources. It is not there where we have gathered up our brightest hopes, that the dawn of happiness breaks. It is not there where we have glanced our eye with affright, that we find the deadliest gloom. What should this teach us? To bow to the great and only Source of light, and live humbly and with confiding resignation. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Pain Pleasure Good Evil Unexpected

O my Charlotte, the sacred, tender remembrance! Gracious Heaven! restore to me the happy moment of our first acquaintance.I smile at the suggestions of my heart, and obey its dictates.their hearts do not beat in unisonI turned my face away. She should not act thus. She ought not to excite my imagination with such displays of heavenly innocence and happiness, nor awaken my heart from its slumbers, in which it dreams of the worthlessness of life! And why not? Because she knows how much I love her.I possess so much, but my love for her absorbs it all. I possess so much, but without her I have nothing.My dear friend, my energies are all prostrated: she can do with me what she pleases. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Charlotte Sacred Tender Remembrance Heaven

Quite often, as life goes on, when we feel completely secure as we go on our way, we suddenly notice that we are trapped in error, that we have allowed ourselves to be taken in by individuals, by objects, have dreamt up an affinity with them which immediately vanishes before our waking eye; and yet we cannot tear ourselves away, held fast by some power that seems incomprehensible to us. Sometimes, however, we become fully aware and realize that error as well as truth can move and spur us on to action. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Individuals Objects Eye Held Error

One would give generous alms if one had the eyes to see the beauty of a cupped receiving hand. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Hand Give Generous Alms Eyes

It is a maxim of wise government to treat people not as they should be but as they actually are. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Maxim Wise Government Treat People

I envy the delusion to which you are a victim. You go forth with joy to gather flowers for your princess, - in winter, - and grieve when you can find none, and cannot understand why they do not grow. But I wander forth without joy, without hope, without design; and I return as I came. You fancy what a man you would be if the states general paid you. Happy mortal, who can ascribe your wretchedness to an earthly cause! You do not know, you do not feel, that in your own distracted heart and disordered brain dwells the source of that unhappiness which all the potentates on earth cannot relieve. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Victim Envy Delusion Joy Princess

An absent friend gives us friendly company when we are well assured of his happiness. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Happiness Absent Friend Friendly Company

O, may you look, full moon that shines, On my pain for this last time: So many midnights from my desk, I have seen you, keeping watch: When over my books and paper, [390] Saddest friend, you appear! Ah! If on the mountain height I might stand in your sweet light, Float with spirits in mountain caves, Swim the meadows in twilight' waves, [395] Free from the smoke of knowledge too, Bathe in your health-giving dew! By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Saddest Full Shines Time Desk

As for solitude, I cannot understand how certain people seek to lay claim to intellectual stature, nobility of soul and strength of character, yet have not the slightest feeling for seclusion; for solitude, I maintain, when joined with a quiet contemplation of nature, a serene and conscious faith in creation and the Creator, and a few vexations from outside is the only school for a mind of lofty endowment. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Solitude Creator Stature Nobility Character

Do they know when we are well and happy? do they know when we recall their memories with the fondest love? In the silent hour of evening the shade of my mother hovers around me; when seated in the midst of my children, I see them assembled near me, as they used to assemble near her; and then I raise my anxious eyes to heaven, and wish she could look down upon us, and witness how I fulfil the promise I made to her in her last moments, to be a mother to her children. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Happy Children Mother Love Recall

Man is a simple being, and however rich, varied, and unfathomable he may be, the cycle of his situations is soon run through. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Varied Man Rich Simple Unfathomable

Was it my fault, that, whilst the peculiar charms of her sister afforded me an agreeable entertainment, a passion for me was engendered in her feeble heart? By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Fault Whilst Entertainment Heart Peculiar

So give me back that time again, When I was still 'becoming', [185] When words gushed like a fountain In new, and endless flowing, Then for me mists veiled the world, In every bud the wonder glowed, A thousand flowers I unfurled, [190] That every valley, richly, showed. I had nothing, yet enough: Joy in illusion, thirst for truth. Give every passion, free to move, The deepest bliss, filled with pain, [195] The force of hate, the power of love, Oh, give me back my youth again! By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Richly Showed Give Flowing World

Give me the benefit of your convictions, if you have any; but keep your doubts to yourself, for I have enough of my own. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Give Convictions Benefit Doubts

I must consider more closely this cycle of good and bad days which I find coursing within myself. Passion, attachment, the urge to action, inventiveness, performance, order all alternate and keep their orbit; cheerfulness, vigor, energy, flexibility and fatigue, serenity as well as desire. Nothing disturbs the cycle for I lead a simple life, but I must still find the time and order in which I rotate. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Closely Good Bad Days Coursing

There is not a moment but preys upon you, - and upon all around you, not a moment in which you do not yourself become a destroyer. The most innocent walk deprives of life thousands of poor insects: one step destroys the fabric of the industrious ant, and converts a little world into chaos. No: it is not the great and rare calamities of the world, the floods which sweep away whole villages, the earthquakes which swallow up our towns, that affect me. My heart is wasted by the thought of that destructive power which lies concealed in every part of universal nature. Nature has formed nothing that does not consume itself, and every object near it: so that, surrounded by earth and air, and all the active powers, I wander on my way with aching heart; and the universe is to me a fearful monster, for ever devouring its own offspring. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Moment Destroyer Preys World Heart

To me the mountain mass lies nobly mute,The whences and the whys I don't dispute.When Nature by and in herself was founded,In purity the earthen sphere she rounded.In summit and in gorge did pleasure seek,And threaded cliff to cliff and peak to peak;Then did she fashion sloping hills at peaceAnd gently down into the vale release.All greens and grows, and to her gay abundanceYour swirling lunacies are sheer redundance. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Cliff Peak Nature Grows Redundance

Beware of her fair hair, for she excelsAll women in the magic of her locks; And when she winds them round a young man's neck, She will not ever set him free again. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Beware Hair Locks Neck Fair

Music is either sacred or profane. What is sacred accords completely with its nobility, and this is where music most immediately influences life; such influence remains unchanged at all times and in every epoch. Profane music should be altogether cheerful.Music of a kind that mixes the sacred with the profane is godless and shoddy music wich goes in for expressing feeble, wretched, deplorable feelings, and is just insipid. For it is not serious enough to be sacred and it lacks the chief quality of the opposite kind: cheerfulness. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Music Sacred Profane Kind Nobility

Oh, man is so transient that even where he is really certain of his existence, even where he makes the one true impression of his presence, in the memory, in the soul of his dear ones, even there must he disappear, be extinguished, and that so soon! By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Man Existence Presence Memory Disappear

Sweet moonlight, shining full and clear,Why do you light my torture here?How often have you seen me toil,Burning last drops of midnight oil.On books and papers as I read,My friend, your mournful light you shed.If only I could flee this denAnd walk the mountain-tops again,Through moonlit meadows make my way,In mountain caves with spirits play -Released from learning's musty cell,Your healing dew would make me well! By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Released Light Make Sweet Moonlight

Our destiny often looks like a fruit-tree in winter. Who would think from its pitiable aspect that those rigid boughs, those rough twigs could next spring again be green, bloom, and even bear fruit? Yet we hope it, we know it. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Winter Bloom Destiny Fruittree Boughs

Wild dreams torment me as I lie. And though a god lives in my heart, though all my power waken at his word, though he can move my every inmost part - yet nothing in the outer world is stirred. thus by existence tortured and oppressed I crave for death, I long for rest. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Wild Lie Dreams Torment Heart

When the boy begins to understand that the visible point is preceded by an invisible point, that the shortest distance between two points is conceived as a straight line before it is ever drawn with pencil and paper ... the fountain of all thought has been opened to him ... the philosopher can reveal him nothing new, as a geometrician he has discovered the basis of all thought. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Point Points Paper Boy Begins

I think of you when upon the sea the sun flings her beams.I think of you when the moonlight shines in silvery streams.I see you when upon the distant hills the dust awakes;At night when on a fragile bridge the traveler quakes.I hear you when the billows rise on high,With murmur deep.To tread the silent grove where wander I,When all's asleep. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Awakes Asleep Sea Sun Flings

I am amazed to see how deliberately I have entangled myself step by step. To have seen my position so clearly, and yet to have acted so like a child! By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Step Amazed Deliberately Entangled Child

He who is and remains true to himself and to others has the most attractive quality of the greatest talent. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Talent Remains True Attractive Quality

Beauty is a manifestation of secret natural laws, which otherwise would have been hidden from us forever. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Beauty Laws Forever Manifestation Secret

I could be living the best and happiest of lives if only I were not a fool. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Fool Living Happiest Lives

It is not given to us to grasp the truth, which is identical with the divine, directly. We perceive it only in reflection, in example and symbol, in singular and related appearances. It meets us as a kind of life which is incomprehensible to us, and yet we cannot free ourselves from the desire to comprehend it. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Directly Truth Divine Grasp Identical

What I have lately said of painting is equally true with respect to poetry. It is only necessary for us to know what is really excellent, and venture to give it expression; and that is saying much in few words. To-day I have had a scene, which, if literally related, would, make the most beautiful idyl in the world. But why should I talk of poetry and scenes and idyls? Can we never take pleasure in nature without having recourse to art? By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Painting Equally True Respect Poetry

There is a great difference, whether the poet seeks the particular for the sake of the general or sees the general in the particular. From the former procedure there ensues allegory, in which the particular serves only as illustration, as example of the general. The latter procedure, however, is genuinely the nature of poetry; it expresses something particular, without thinking of the general or pointing to it. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe General Difference Great Poet Seeks

Your suns and worlds are not within my ken,I merely watch the plaguey state of men.The little god of earth remains the same queer spriteAs on the first day, or in primal light.His life would be less difficult, poor thing,Without your gift of heavenly glimmering;He calls it Reason, using light celestialJust to outdo the beasts in being bestial.To me he seems, with deference to Your Grace,One of those crickets, jumping round the place,Who takes his flying leaps, with legs so long,Then falls to grass and chants the same old song;But, not content with grasses to repose in,This one will hunt for muck to stick his nose in. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Reason Day Difficult Poor Glimmering

You can't, if you can't feel it, if it neverRises from the soul, and swaysThe heart of every single hearer,With deepest power, in simple ways.You'll sit forever, gluing things together,Cooking up a stew from other's scraps,Blowing on a miserable fire,Made from your heap of dying ash.Let apes and children praise your art,If their admiration's to your taste,But you'll never speak from heart to heart,Unless it rises up from your heart's space. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Heart Soul Power Simple Sit

A king there was once reigning, Who had a goodly flea, Him loved he without feigning, As his own son were he! By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Reigning Flea Feigning King Goodly

And I like those authors best whose scenes describe my own situation in life and the friends who are about me whose stories touch me with interest, from resembling my own homely existence. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Interest Existence Authors Scenes Describe

Humor is one of the elements of geniusadmirable as an adjunct; but as soon as it becomes dominant, only a surrogate for genius. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Humor Adjunct Dominant Genius Elements

As soon as you are in a social setting, you better take away the key to the lock of your heart and pocket it; those who leave thekey in the lock are fools. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Lock Setting Fools Social Key

The safest thing is always to try to convert everything that is in us and around us into action; let the others talk and argue about it as they please. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Action Safest Thing Convert Talk

We can accept the unpleasant more readily than we can the inconsequential. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Inconsequential Accept Unpleasant Readily

Insofar as he makes use of his healthy senses, man himself is the best and most exact scientific instrument possible. The greatest misfortune of modern physics is that its experiments have been set apart from man, as it were, physics refuses to recognize nature in anything not shown by artificial instruments, and even uses this as a measure of its accomplishments. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Senses Man Makes Healthy Exact

The credit of advancing science has always been due to individuals and never to the age. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Age Credit Advancing Science Due

If you inquire what people are like here, I must answer, "The same as everywhere." By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Answer Inquire People

Men show their character in nothing more clearly than what they think laughable. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Men Laughable Show Character

The man of understanding finds everything laughable. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Laughable Man Understanding Finds

Men show their characters in nothing more clearly than in what they think laughable. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Men Laughable Show Characters

The older I get the more I trust in the law according to which the rose and the lily bloom. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Bloom Older Trust Law Rose

As a man is, so is his God; therefore God was so often an object of mockery.[Ger., Wie einer ist, so ist sein Gott,Darum ward Gott so oft zu Spott.] By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Ger God Wie Spott Gott

True religion teaches us to reverence what is under us, to recognize humility and poverty, and, despite mockery and disgrace, wretchedness, suffering, and death, as things divine. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Wretchedness Suffering True Poverty Disgrace

Truth is a torch but a tremendous one. That is why we hurry past it, shielding our eyes, indeed, in fear of getting burned. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Truth Torch Tremendous Shielding Eyes

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. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Clinging Nations Mankind Safely Achieve

As to the value of conversions, God alone can judge. God alone can know how wide are the steps which the soul has to take before it can approach to a community with Him, to the dwelling of the perfect, or to the intercourse and friendship of higher natures. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe God Conversions Judge Perfect Natures

Alas, that we should be so unwilling to listen to the still and holy yearnings of the heart! A god whispers quite softly in our breast, softly yet audibly; telling us what we ought to seek and what to shun. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Alas Heart Unwilling Listen Holy

Death is a commingling of eternity with time; in the death of a good man, eternity is seen looking through time. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Time Man Death Eternity Commingling

Fresh activity is the only means of overcoming adversity. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Fresh Adversity Activity Overcoming

Nothing damages the good order of a house hold More than a feud that festers underneath The surface among its master's faithful servants. His commands do not, like well tuned music, Echo back to him in the form of promptly Executed work; no, all is jarring Discord, self-will; in the confusion he Himself's confused and scolds away to no Avail. And By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Servants Damages Good Order House

When scholars study a thing, they strive to kill it first, if it's alive; then they have the parts and the'be lost the whole, for the link that's missing was the living soul. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Thing Alive Soul Scholars Study

Be brave, and show them what you've got, [85] Have Fantasy with all her chorus, yes, Mind, Reason, Passion, Tears, the lot, But don't you leave out Foolishness. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Mind Reason Passion Tears Foolishness

Translators can be considered as busy matchmakers who praise as extremely desirable a half-veiled beauty. They arouse an irresistible yearning for the original. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Translators Beauty Considered Busy Matchmakers

With the growth of knowledge our ideas must from time to time be organized afresh. The change takes place usually in accordance with new maxims as they arise, but it always remains provisional. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Afresh Time Growth Knowledge Ideas

I have found among my papers a sheet ... in which I call architecture frozen music. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Sheet Found Papers Music Call

Try novelties for salesman's bait, For novelty wins everyone. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Bait Novelties Salesman Novelty Wins

The loss of a much-prized treasure is only half felt when we have not regarded its tenure as secure. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Secure Loss Muchprized Treasure Half

The soul of man is like to water; from Heaven it cometh, to Heaven it riseth And then returning to earth, forever alternating. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Heaven Water Cometh Earth Forever

The soul is indestructible and its activity will continue through eternity. It is like the sun, which, to our eyes, seems to set at night; but it has in reality only gone to diffuse its light elsewhere. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Eternity Soul Indestructible Activity Continue

But I've got you, you're caught! For a half-hellhound like you are, Solomon's Key is what is called for. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Caught Solomon Key Halfhellhound Called

People are always talking about originality; but what do they mean? As soon as we are born, the world begins to work upon us; and this goes on to the end. And after all, what can we call our own, except energy, strength, and will? If I could give an account of all that I owe to great predecessors and contemporaries, there would be but a small balance in my favor. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe People Originality Talking Strength Born

It's not for Zeus's daughter to be A prey to common fears, I never feel Chill fingered panic's touch. But the horrors Creeping out of Old Night's womb Since the first beginnings of all things, 8940 With shapes as many as the fiery vapors Billowing from a crater's fiery mouth, Make even heroes' hearts turn faint. When By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Zeus Chill Fears Touch Daughter

I know what science this has come to be. All rights and laws are still transmitted Like an eternal sickness of the race, - From generation unto generation fitted, And shifted round from place to place. Reason becomes a sham, Beneficence a worry: Thou art a grandchild, therefore woe to thee! The right born with us, ours in verity, By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Science Generation Place Beneficence Thou

Everything that we call Invention or Discovery in the higher sense of the word is the serious exercise and activity of an original feeling for truth, which, after a long course of silent cultivation, suddenly flashes out into fruitful knowledge. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Invention Discovery Truth Cultivation Suddenly

The happiest man is the one who finds happiness at home. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Home Happiest Man Finds Happiness

All force strives forward to work far and wideTo live and grow and ever to expand;Yet we are checked and thwarted on each sideBy the world's flux and swept along like sand:In this internal storm and outward tideWe hear a promise, hard to understand:From the compulsion that all creatures binds,Who overcomes himself, his freedom finds. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Expand Sand Promise Hard Understand

A really great talent finds its happiness in execution. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Execution Great Talent Finds Happiness

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! By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Love Intensely Fully Grasp Understand

I hold to faith in the divine love - which, so many years ago for a brief moment in a little corner of the earth, walked about as a man bearing the name of Jesus Christ - as the foundationon which alone my happiness rests. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Christ Jesus Love Earth Walked

It is with art as with love: How can a man of the world,with all his distractions, keep the inwardness which an artist must possess if he hopes to attain perfection? That inwardness which the spectator must share if he is to understand the work as the artist wishes and hopes ... Believe me, talents are like virtues; either you must love them for their own sake or renounce them altogether. And they are only recognized and rewarded when we have practised them in secret, like a dangerous mystery. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Inwardness Distractions Perfection Artist Hopes

Think of you! I do not think of you; you are always before my soul. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Soul

Who are you then?" "I am part of that power which eternally wills evil and eternally works good. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Eternally Good Part Power Evil

I am part of the part that once was everything,Part of the darkness which gave birth to light ... Mephistopheles, from Faust. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Light Part Faust Mephistopheles Everythingpart

This world could not exist if it were not so simple. The ground has been tilled a thousand years, yet its powers remain ever the same; a little rain, a little sun, and each spring it grows green again. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Simple World Exist Years Rain

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. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Calculation Sum Married People Owe

...of adhering, for the future, entirely to nature. She alone is inexhaustible, and capable of forming the greatest masters. Much may be alleged in favour of rules, as much may be likewise advanced in favour of the laws of society: an artist formed upon them will never produce anything absolutely bad or disgusting; as a man who observes the laws, and obeys decorum, can never be an absolutely intolerable neighbour, nor a decided villain: but yet, say what you will of rules, they destroy the genuine feeling of nature, as well as its true expression By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Nature Adhering Future Rules Favour

Nine requisites for contented living: Health enough to make work a pleasure. Wealth enough to support your needs. Strength to battle with difficulties and overcome them. Grace enough to confess your sins and forsake them. Patience enough to toil until some good is accomplished. Charity enough to see some good in your neighbor. Love enough to move you to be useful and helpful to others. Faith enough to make real the things of God. Hope enough to remove all anxious fears concerning the future. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Health Living Pleasure Requisites Contented

After the play, he counts on playing cards,and he on a wild night in some girl's arms -why, in a cause like this, must you poor foolsso sorely try the Muses' kindness By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Muses Play Arms Kindness Counts

It would not be worth your while to reach the age of seventy if all the wisdom of the world were to be foolishness before God. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe God Worth Reach Age Seventy

Artists have a double relationship towards nature: they are her master and her slave at the same time. They are her slave in so far as they must work with means of this world so as to be understood; her master in so far as they subject these means to their higher goals and make them subservient to them. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Artists Nature Time Master Slave

And I, God-hated,I could not restContent seizing the rocks merelyAnd shattering them to smithereens, I mustUndermine her too, her peace.So she is hell's demanded sacrifice.Devil, now help me shorten the time of dread.Let what must happen happen now,Let her fate break around my head,Let her come to perdition as I do. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Happen Smithereens Sacrificedevil Restcontent Seizing

Instruction does much, but encouragement everything.(Letter to A.F. Oeser, Nov. 9, 1768) By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Oeser Nov Letter Instruction Everything

To have your every wish, desire, Wake, regard the glorious light! What holds you bound is a mild power, Sleep's a shell, break out of it! Up, no lagging, boldly does it; Though the crowd doubts and delays, All's possible to a brave spirit 4830 Who sees, and seeing's quick to seize. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Wake Desire Regard Light Glorious

The day is for mistake and error, sequence of time for success and carrying out. The one who anticipates is master of the day. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Error Sequence Day Mistake Time

Music is either sacred or secular. The sacred agrees with its dignity, and here has its greatest effect on life, an effect that remains the same through all ages and epochs. Secular music should be cheerful throughout. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Sacred Music Secular Effect Dignity

Tomorrow sees undone, what happens not to-day; Still forward press, nor never tire! The possible, with steadfast trust, Resolve should be by the forelock grasp. Then she will ne'er let go her clasp, And labors on, because she must. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Tomorrow Undone Today Press Tire

Alas! You have shattered the beautiful world with a brazen fist; It falls, it is scattered - By a demigod destroyed. We are trailing the ruins into the void and wailing over a beauty undone and ended. Earth's mighty son, more splendid rebuild it, you that are strong, build it again within! And begin a new life, a new way, lucid and gay, and play new songs. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Alas Fist Falls Scattered Destroyed

Happy is it, indeed, for me that my heart is capable of feeling the same simple and innocent pleasure as the peasant whose table is covered with food of his own rearing, and who not only enjoys his meal, but remembers with delight the happy days and sunny mornings when he planted it, the soft evenings when he watered it, and the pleasure he experienced in watching its daily growth. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Happy Pleasure Rearing Meal Growth

Every individual who is not creative has a negative, narrow, exclusive taste and succeeds in depriving creative being of its energy and life. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Narrow Negative Exclusive Life Creative

What matters creative endless toil, When, at a snatch, oblivion ends the coil? By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Toil Snatch Oblivion Coil Matters

Lose this day loitering 'Twill be the same old story, Tomorrow and the next, Even more dilatory. Whatever you would do, Or dream of doing, begin it! Boldness has power, genius, and magic in it. Begin it now. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Twill Tomorrow Lose Loitering Story

Boldness has power, magic and genius in it. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Boldness Power Magic Genius

Each indecision brings its own delays and days are lost lamenting over lost days. Whatever you can do or think you can do, begin it. For boldness has magic, power, and genius in it. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Days Lost Indecision Brings Delays

It is the color closest to light. In its utmost purity it always implies the nature of brightness and has a cheerful, serene, gently stimulating character. Hence, experience teaches us that yellow makes a thoroughly warm and comforting impression. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Light Serene Color Closest Cheerful

Rash combat oft immortalizes man; if he should fall, he is renowned in song; but after-ages reckon not the ceaseless tears which the forsaken woman sheds. Poets tell us not of the many nights consumed in weeping, or of the dreary days wherein her anguished soul vainly yearns to call her loved one back. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Rash Man Fall Song Sheds

Mathematics has the completely false reputation of yielding infallible conclusions. Its infallibility is nothing but identity. Two times two is not four, but it is just two times two, and that is what we call four for short. But four is nothing new at all. And thus it goes on and on in its conclusions, except that in the higher formulas the identity fades out of sight. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Mathematics Conclusions Completely False Reputation

MARGARETE. Yes, out of sight is out of mind. It's second nature with you, gallantry; But you have friends of every kind, Cleverer by far, oh much, than me. FAUST. Dear girl, believe me, what's called cleverness Is mostly shallowness and vanity. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Margarete Faust Cleverer Gallantry Mind

I look upon all four Gospels as thoroughly genuine, for there shines forth from them the reflected splendor of a sublimity proceeding from Jesus Christ. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Christ Gospels Jesus Genuine Shines

For we are so constituted by nature, that we are ever prone to compare ourselves with others; and our happiness or misery depends very much on the objects and persons around us. On this account, nothing is more dangerous than solitude: there our imagination, always disposed to rise, taking a new flight on the wings of fancy, pictures to us a chain of beings of whom we seem the most inferior. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Nature Constituted Prone Compare Happiness

No two men see the world exactly alike, and different temperaments will apply in different ways a principle that they both acknowledge. The same man will, indeed, often see and judge the same things differently on different occasions: early convictions must give way to more mature ones. Nevertheless, may not the opinions that a man holds and expresses withstand all trials, if he only remains true to himself and others? By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Alike Acknowledge Men World Temperaments

If God had wanted me otherwise, He would have created me otherwise. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe God Wanted Created

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. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Head Repelled Lost Great Work

Wealth and speed are what the world admires, what each pursues. Railways, express mails, steamships and every possible facility for communications are the achievement in which the civilized world view and revels, only to languish in mediocrity by that very fact. Indeed, the effect of this diffusion is to spread the culture of the mediocre. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Wealth Admires Pursues World Speed

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). By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Give Roots Wings Things Parents

Yes, one is on the right track when one does not know what one is thinking when one is thinking; everything is handed to one, as it were. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Thinking Track Handed

Even people who are entirely strange and indifferent to one another will exchange confidences if they live together for a while, and a certain intimacy is bound to develop. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Develop People Strange Indifferent Exchange

What have the Germans gained by their boasted freedom of the press, except the liberty of abusing each other as they like? By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Germans Press Gained Boasted Freedom

You are aware of only one unrest;Oh, never learn to know the other!Two souls, alas, are dwelling in my breast,And one is striving to forsake its brother.Unto the world in grossly loving zest,With clinging tendrils, one adheres;The other rises forcibly in questOf rarefied ancestral spheres.If there be spirits in the airThat hold their sway between the earth and sky,Descend out of the golden vapors thereAnd sweep me into iridescent life.Oh, came a magic cloak into my handsTo carry me to distant lands,I should not trade it for the choicest gown,Nor for the cloak and garments of the crown. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Cloak Alas Unrest Souls Tendrils

The misery that oppresses you lies not in your profession but in yourself! What man in the world would not find his situation intolerable if he chooses a craft, an art, indeed any form of life, without experiencing an inner calling? Whoever is born with a talent, or to a talent, must surely find in that the most pleasing of occupations! Everything on this earth has its difficult sides! Only some inner drive - pleasure, love - can help us overcome obstacles, prepare a path, and lift us out of the narrow circle in which others tread out their anguished, miserable existences! By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Talent Misery Oppresses Lies Profession

Dispel not, the happy delusions of children. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Dispel Children Happy Delusions

Superstition is the poetry of life. It is inherent in man's nature; and when we think it is wholly eradicated, it takes refuge in the strangest holes and corners, whence it peeps out all at once, as soon as it can do it with safety. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Superstition Life Poetry Nature Eradicated

Know'st thou the land where the lemon-trees bloom, Where the gold orange glows in the deep thicket's gloom, Where a wind ever soft from the blue heaven blows, And the groves are of laurel and myrtle and rose! By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Knowst Bloom Gloom Blows Rose

To every one [Nature] appears in a form of his own. She hides herself in a thousand names and terms, and is always the same. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Nature Form Terms Hides Thousand

If you had swum across the furthest oceanAnd seen the vastness of infinityThough dread of death might seize you, you'd still seeThe rolling waves in never-ceasing motionYou'd still see something: Schools of dolphins swimmingAcross the green and placid waters, skimmingThe clouds, the sun and the moon, stars overhead -You will see nothing in that void all roundYou will not hear your footsteps where you treadBeneath your feet, you'll feel no solid ground By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Schools Waters Skimmingthe Clouds Moon

See how all our energies are wasted in providing for mere necessities, which gain have no further end than to prolong a wretched existence; and then that all our satisfaction concerning certain subjects of investigation ends in nothing better than a passive resignation By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Necessities Existence Resignation Energies Wasted

To be loved for what one is, that is the greatest exception. The great majority love in others only what they lend him; their own selves, their version of him. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Exception Loved Greatest Great Majority

Were the eye not of the sun, How could we behold the light? If God's might and ours were not as one, How could His work enchant our sight? By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Sun Light Eye Behold God

Poetry is not simply a fashion of expression: it is the form of expression absolutely required by a certain class of ideas. Poetry, indeed, may be distinguished from Prose by the single circumstance, that it is the utterance of whatever in man cannot be perfectly uttered in any other than a rhythmical form: it is useless to say that the naked meaning is independent of the form: on the contrary, the form contributes essentially to the fullness of the meaning. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Form Expression Poetry Ideas Simply

If society gives up the right to impose the death penalty, then self-help will appear again and personal vendettas will be around the corner. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Penalty Corner Society Impose Death

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. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Age Attempts Youth Invariably Hopes

I, for my share, cannot understand," continued she, "how men have made themselves believe that God speaks to us through books and histories. The man to whom the universe does not reveal directly what relation it has to him, whose heart does not tell him what he owes to himself and others, that man will scarcely learn it out of books, which generally do little more than give our errors names. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe God Share Understand Continued Histories

My father, my father, and dost thou not hearThe words that the Erl-King now breathes in mine ear?'Be calm, dearest child, 'tis thy fancy deceives;Tis the sad wind that sighs through the withering leaves. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Father Tis Ear Calm Dearest

When a nation which has long groaned under the intolerable yoke of a tyrant rises at last and throws off its chains, do you call that weakness? The man who, to rescue his house from the flames, finds his physical strength redoubled, so that he lifts burdens with ease which in the absence of excitement he could scarcely move; he who under the rage of an insult attacks and puts to flight half a score of his enemies, - are such persons to be called weak? My good friend, if resistance be strength, how can the highest degree of resistance be a weakness? By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Chains Weakness Nation Long Groaned

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. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Oral Converted Delivery Aims Persuasion

We must not hope to be mowers, And to gather the ripe gold ears, Unless we have first been sowers And water the furrows with tears. It is not just as we take it, This mystical world of ours, Life's field will yield as we make it A harvest of thorns or of flowers. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Mowers Ears Tears Hope Gather

From the inaccessible mountains, across the desert which no mortal foot has trod, far as the confines of the unknown ocean, breathes the spirit of the eternal Creator; and every atom to which he has given existence finds favour in his sight. Ah, how often at that time has the flight of a bird, soaring above my head, inspired me with the desire of being transported to the shores of the immeasurable waters, there to quaff the pleasures of life from the foaming goblet of the Infinite, and to partake, if but for a moment even, with the confined powers of my soul, the beatitude of that Creator who accomplishes all things in himself, and through himself! My By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Creator Mountains Trod Ocean Breathes

For the butterfly, mating and propagation involve the sacrifice of life, for the human being, the sacrifice of beauty. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Sacrifice Butterfly Mating Life Beauty

Ask whomever you will but you'll never find out where I'm lodging By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Lodging Whomever Find

There are but two roads that lead to an important goal and to the doing of great things: strength and perseverance. Strength is the lot of but a few priveledged men; but austere perseverance, harsh and continuous, may be employed by the smallest of us and rarely fails of its purpose, for its silent power grows irresistibly greater with time. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Strength Perseverance Things Roads Lead

Smoking torches, lamps, and tapers Dimly light the boisterous fest; Among these many lying faces Here am I, alas, chained fast. Giggling fools, out of my sight! 5580 Untrustworthy, grinning lot! All my enemies tonight Hound me with their secret hate. There's a friend turned enemy, I can see through his pretense! Another means to murder me, Ha, found out, away he slinks. Oh how I long to take flight, Run away, here, there, wherever! Menaced on all sides, I halt 5590 Between uncertainty and terror. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Dimly Lamps Alas Smoking Torches

A man would create another man if one did not already exist, but a woman might live an eternity without even thinking of reproducing her own sex. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Exist Sex Man Create Woman

The bad thing is that thinking about thought doesn't help at all; one has to have it from nature so that the good ideas appear before us like free children of God calling to us: Here we are. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe God Bad Thing Thinking Thought

And we went our separate ways without having understood each other. As in this world nobody understands the other easily. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Separate Understood Easily World Understands

The bed of flowersLoosens amain,The beauteous snowdropsDroop o'er the plain.The crocus opensIts glowing bud,Like emeralds others,Others, like blood.With saucy gesturePrimroses flare,And roguish violets,Hidden with care;And whatsoeverThere stirs and strives,The Spring's contented,If works and thrives. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Spring Othersothers Care Thrives Bed

Hypotheses are only the pieces of scaffolding which are erected round a building during the course of construction, and which are taken away as soon as the edifice is completed. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Hypotheses Construction Completed Pieces Scaffolding

What provokes me worst of all are our fateful bourgeois distinctions of rank. Of course I know as well as anyone that differences of class are necessary, and that they work greatly to my own advantage: but I wish they would not place obstacles in my way when I might enjoy a little pleasure ... By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Rank Provokes Worst Fateful Bourgeois

Well, I've had more than one odd moment, I have, But I have never felt those impulses you have. Soon enough you get your fill of woods and things, I don't really envy birds their wings. How different are the pleasures of the intellect, 1130 Sustaining one from page to page, from book to book, And warming winter nights with dear employment And with the consciousness your life's so lucky. And goodness, when you spread out an old parchment, Heaven's fetched straight down into your study. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Moment Odd Felt Impulses Sustaining

A state of true and universal tolerance is best ensured by leaving alone the peculiarities of men and peoples. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Peoples State True Universal Tolerance

Great thoughts and a pure heart, that is what we should ask from God. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe God Great Heart Thoughts Pure

It's true that nothing in this world makes us so necessary to others as the affection we have for them. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe True World Makes Affection

The day dawns smiling, rational and bright, We're tangled in a net of dreams at night. From green fields we come home contentedly, 11770 A bird croaks: meaning what? - catastrophe! Bedeviled by superstitions, we imagine The least thing is a sign, a portent, omen. And so we tremble, feeling lost, alone. The door creaks and we stiffen - there's no one. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Smiling Rational Bright Night Day

The lion's fierceness, Mild hart's swiftness, Italian fieriness, Northern steadiness. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Mild Italian Northern Fierceness Swiftness

I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Element Frightening Conclusion Decisive Treat

You're growling, poodle! Animal squealings 1230 Hardly suit the exalted feelings Filling my soul to overflowing. We're used to people ridiculing What they hardly understand, Grumbling at the good and the beautiful - It makes them so uncomfortable! Do dogs now emulate mankind? By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Poodle Growling Filling Grumbling Animal

Only the heart without a stain knows perfect ease.[Ger., Ganz unbefleckt geniesst sich nur das Herz.] By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Ger Ganz Herz Ease Heart

These auspicious aspects, which the astrologers subsequently interpreted for me, may have been the causes of my preservation. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Aspects Preservation Auspicious Astrologers Subsequently

Once I blazed across the sky, Leaving trails of flame; I fell to earth, and here I lie - Who'll help me up again? -A Shooting Star By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Leaving Sky Flame Earth Lie

There you have it! - How they anticipate my wishes, how they grant friendship's little attentions, which are worth a thousand times more than breathtaking presents that merely prove the giver's vanity and humiliate us. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Wishes Attentions Anticipate Grant Friendship

The town itself is disagreeable; but then, all around, you find an inexpressible beauty of nature. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Disagreeable Nature Town Find Inexpressible

Who is the wisest man? He who neither knows or wishes for anything else than what happens. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Man Wisest Wishes

God save you, my brethren, with all your -isms and schisms! I am a citizen of the world, and a man of Weimer. I have established myself by culture in this choice society; and if anyone knows a better place, let him go to it. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe God Brethren Isms Schisms Save

The eye doesn't see any shapes, it sees only what is differentiated through light and dark or through colors. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Shapes Colors Eye Differentiated Light

The dangers of life are infinite, and among them is safety. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Infinite Safety Dangers Life

Let no one be ashamed to say yes today if yesterday he said no. Or to say no today if yesterday he said yes. For that is life. Never to have changed-what a pitiable thing of which to boast! By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Yesterday Today Ashamed Life Boast

By seeking and blundering we learn. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Learn Seeking Blundering

Master and Doctor are my titles; for ten years now, without repose, I held my erudite recitals and led my pupils by the nose. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Doctor Master Titles Repose Nose

Only a God can take in all of them, The whole lot, for He dwells in eternal light, While we poor devils are stuck down below 1810 In darkness and gloom, lacking even candlelight, And all you qualify for is, half day, half night. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Half God Lot Light Gloom

Don't feel guilty if you don't immediately love your stepchildren as you do your own, or as much as you think you should. Everyoneneeds time to adjust to the new family, adults included. There is no such thing as an "instant parent."Actually, no concrete object lies outside of the poetic sphere as long as the poet knows how to use the object properly. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Feel Guilty Immediately Love Stepchildren

Nothing puts me so completely out of patience as the utterance of a wretched commonplace when I am talking from my inmost heart. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Heart Puts Completely Patience Utterance

I turned my face away. She should not act thus. She oughtnot to excite my imagination with such displays of heavenlyinnocence and happiness, nor awaken my heart from its slumbers,in which it dreams of the worthlessness of life! By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Turned Face Happiness Life Act

It is in vain that a man of sound mind and cool temper understands the condition of such a wretched being ... He can no more communicate his own wisdom to him than a healthy man can instil his strength into the invalid by whose bedside he is seated. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Man Vain Sound Mind Cool

Oblivion is full of people who allow the opinions of others to overrule their belief in themselves. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Oblivion Full People Opinions Overrule

One is never deceived; one deceives oneself. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Deceived Oneself Deceives

THE WITCH.[dancing].O I shall lose my wits, I fear,Do I, again, see Squire Satan here!MEPHISTOPHELES. Woman, the name offends my ear!THE WITCH. Why so? What has it done to you?MEPHISTOPHELES. It has long since to fable-books been banished;But men are none the better for it; true,The wicked one, but not the wicked ones, has vanished. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Mephistopheles Squire Satan Dancing Witch

The person born with a talent they are meant to use will find their greatest happiness in using it. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Person Born Talent Meant Find

We often feel that we lack something, and seem to see that very quality in someone else, promptly attributing all our own qualities to him too, and a kind of ideal contentment as well. And so the happy mortal is a model of complete perfectionwhich we have ourselves created. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Promptly Feel Lack Quality Attributing

For many people, one of the most frustrating aspects of life is not being able to understand other people's behavior. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Behavior People Frustrating Aspects Life

He who cannot love must learn to flatter. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Flatter Love Learn

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. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe God Music Read Poetry Life

He alone deserves liberty and life who daily must win them anew. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Anew Deserves Liberty Life Daily

Good children's literature appeals not only to the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Child Adult Good Children Literature

No matter what one says, you can recognize only those matters that are equal to you. Only rulers who possess extraordinary abilities will recognize and esteem properly extraordinary abilities in their subjects and servants. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Recognize Equal Extraordinary Abilities Matter

Flowers are the beautiful hieroglyphics of nature with which she indicates how much she loves us. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Flowers Beautiful Hieroglyphics Nature Loves

Nature is so perfect that the Trinity couldn't have fashioned her any more perfect. She is an organ on which our Lord plays and the devil works the bellows. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Trinity Perfect Nature Fashioned Lord

Chess is the touchstone of intellect. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Chess Intellect Touchstone

One should not wish anyone disagreeable conditions of life; but for him who is involved in them by chance, they are touchstones of characters and of the most decisive value to man. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Life Chance Man Disagreeable Conditions

Love has the tendency of pressing together all the lights - all the rays emitted from the beloved object by the burning-glass of fantasy, - into one focus, and making of them one radiant sun without any spots. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Love Lights Fantasy Focus Spots

If you ask what the people here are like, I must tell you, "Like people everywhere!" Uniformity marks the human race. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe People Uniformity Race Marks Human

It will be! the mass is working clearer!Conviction gathers, truer, nearer!The mystery which for Man in Nature liesWe dare to test, by knowledge led;And that which she was wont to organizeWe crystallize, instead. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Truer Nearer Conviction Man Nature

He who wishes to exert a useful influence must be careful to insult nothing. Let him not be troubled by what seems absurd, but concentrate his energies to the creation of what is good. He must not demolish, but build. He must raise temples where mankind may come and partake of the purest pleasure. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Wishes Exert Influence Careful Insult

Here ease and comfort are the legacy, The round and glowing cheek, the red, ripe mouth, Here each possesses immortality In his descendants' happiness and health. And thus in pure contentment, cloudless days, The child grows up and fathers in his turn. Amazed, we never cease to ask: Are these High gods descended here or are they men? Apollo, when he kept sheep, looked completely The handsome shepherd in both form and face: 9900 Where Nature uninsulted rules serenely, All worlds commingle, gods and men change place. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Legacy Cheek Red Ripe Mouth

I never knew a more presumptuous person than myself. The fact that I say that shows that what I say is true. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Knew Presumptuous Person True Fact

Mathematicians are a kind of Frenchman. They translate into their own language whatever is said to them and forthwith the thing is utterly changed. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Frenchman Mathematicians Kind Changed Translate

Mathematicians are like Frenchmen: whatever you say to them they translate into their own language and forthwith it is something entirely different. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Frenchmen Mathematicians Translate Language Forthwith

Hatred is active displeasure, envy passive. We need not wonder that envy turns to soon to hatred. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Displeasure Passive Hatred Envy Active

Neuere Poeten tun viel Wasser in die Tinte. (More recent poets put a lot of water in the ink.) Goethe: Aus Makariens Archiv. Wilhelm Meisters Wanderjahre. III 18 By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Tinte Poeten Wasser Neuere Iii

As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Live Trust

You accuse a woman of wavering affections, but don't blame her; she is just looking for a consistent man. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Affections Man Accuse Woman Wavering

It hurts me when we can only travel a short stretch on the same road By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Road Hurts Travel Short Stretch

Time is a strange thing. It is a whimsical tyrant, which in every century has a different face for all that one says and does. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Time Thing Strange Tyrant Whimsical

Progress has not followed a straight ascending line, but a spiral with rhythms of progress and retrogression, of evolution and dissolution. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Line Retrogression Dissolution Progress Straight

Those who know nothing of foreign languages know nothing of their own. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Foreign Languages

The Bible grows more beautiful, as we grow in our understanding of it. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Bible Beautiful Understanding Grows Grow

Even dirt glitters when the sun is shining upon it By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Dirt Glitters Sun Shining

Each person, the most worthy as well as the most despicable, carries around a secret which would make her hateful to everyone else if it became known. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Person Despicable Carries Worthy Secret

THALES. Maybe so. Still, I'll defend a life Lived worthily in its brief time on earth. PROTEUS. A life like yours, yes - it persists Well past the bounds of mortal days. Among the crowd of pale and drifting ghosts 8620 I've noticed you these many centuries. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Thales Proteus Life Lived Earth

In my dear pine-clad mountains of the Harz There's a pitchlike smell, a smell I favor Most of all, excepting that of sulphur. But here among these Greeks there's not a trace Of anything like that. I'm curious To find out what they use below in their Hell To stoke the fires with, their kind of fuel. DRYAD. I guess you're smart enough in your own country, Abroad you're something less than apt; 8220 Stop thinking home thoughts, try, Sir, to adapt And show due honor to our sacred oak tree. MEPHISTO. What you have lost, that's what you think about, By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Smell Harz Excepting Sulphur Dear

For true art there is no such thing as preparatory schooling, but there are certainly preparations; the best, however, is when the least pupil takes a share in master's work. Colour-grinders have turned into very good artists. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Schooling Preparations Work True Art

Should I not be proud, when for twenty years I have had to admit to myself that the great Newton and all the mathematicians and noble calculators along with him were involved in a decisive error with respect to the doctrine of color, and that I among millions was the only one who knew what was right in this great subject of nature? By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Newton Great Proud Color Nature

All sects seem to me to be right in what they assert, and wrong in what they deny. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Assert Deny Sects Wrong

If I say to the moment: 'Stay now! You are so beautiful'! By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Stay Moment Beautiful

Make the most of time, it flies away so fast; yet method will teach you to win time. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Time Make Fast Flies Method

By Fortune's adverse buffets overborneTo solitude I fled, to wilds forlorn,And not in utter loneliness to live,Myself at last did to the Devil give! By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Fortune Devil Fled Give Adverse

What makes people happy is activity; changing evil itself into good by power, working in a God like manner. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe God Activity Changing Power Working

The human race is but a monotonous affair. Most ofthemlabour the greater part oftheir time for mere subsistence; and the scanty portion of freedomwhich remains to themso troubles themthat they use every exertion to get rid ofit. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Affair Human Race Monotonous Subsistence

What is part of you, you cannot get rid of, even if you were to throw it away. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Part Rid Throw

No two people see the world exactly alike, and different temperaments will often apply the same principle, recognized by both, differently. Even one and the same person won't always maintain the same views and judgments: earlier convictions must give way to later ones. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Differently Alike Principle Recognized People

Over the trackless past, somewhere, Lie the lost days of our tropic youth, Only regained by faith and prayer, Only recalled by prayer and plaint, Each lost day has its patron saint! By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Lie Lost Past Youth Plaint

Passions are defects or virtues in the highest power. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Passions Power Defects Virtues Highest

As for what I have done as a poet, I take no pride in whatever. Excellent poets have lived at the same time with me, poets more excellent lived before me, and others will come after me. But that in my country I am the only person who knows the truth in the difficult science of colors-of that, I say, I am not a little proud, and here have a consciousness of superiority to many. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Poets Pride Excellent Lived Poet

Everybody wants to be somebody,but nobody wants to grow ... By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Grow Somebodybut

Everybody wants to be somebody; nobody wants to grow. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Grow

I could never have known so well how paltry men are, and how little they care for really high aims, if I had not tested them by my scientific researches. Thus I saw that most men only care for science so far as they get a living by it, and that they worship even error when it affords them a subsistence. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Aims Researches Care Men Paltry

The world is so empty if one thinks only of mountains, rivers & cities; but to know someone who thinks & feels with us, & who, though distant, is close to us in spirit, this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Rivers Cities Mountains Feels Distant

I will say nothing against the course of my existence. But at bottom it has been nothing but pain and burden, and I can affirm that during the whole of my 75 years, I have not had four weeks of genuine well-being. It is but the perpetual rolling of a rock that must be raised up again forever. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Existence Years Burden Wellbeing Bottom

Normally, the sciences distance themselves from life and the return to it via a detour. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Detour Sciences Distance Life Return

Is it not enough that we cannot make one another happy, must we also rob one another of the pleasures that any heart may permit itself now and then? And name me a person who in a bad mood will be decent enough to hide it, to bear it alone, without destroying the joy around him. Is it not rather an inner dissatisfaction with our own unworthiness, a dislike of ourselves that is always associated with envy aggravated by foolish conceit? We see people happy and not made happy by us, and that is unbearable. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Happy Make Rob Pleasures Heart

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. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Things Memory Woe Constituted Incredible

Is not the core of nature in the heart of man? By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Man Core Nature Heart

All ages have said and repeated that one should strive to know one's self. This is a strange demand which no one up to now has measured up to and, strictly considered, no one should. With all their study and effort, people are directed to what is outside, to the world about them, and they are kept busy coming to know this and to master it to the extent that their purposes require ... 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. And what is your duty? Whatever the day calls for. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Ages Repeated Strive Duty Strictly

In all our academies we attempt far too much ... In earlier times lectures were delivered upon chemistry and botany as branches of medicine, and the medical student learned enough of them. Now, however, chemistry and botany are become sciences of themselves, incapable of comprehension by a hasty survey, and each demanding the study of a whole life, yet we expect the medical student to understand them. He who is prudent, accordingly declines all distracting claims upon his time, and limits himself to a single branch and becomes expert in one thing. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Medical Academies Attempt Chemistry Botany

The world sees only the reflection of merit; therefore when you come to know a really great man intimately, you may as often find him above as below his reputation. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Merit Intimately Reputation World Reflection

You will find the most pronounced hatred of other nations on the lowest cultural levels. There is, though, a level where the hatred disappears completely and where one so to speak stands above the nations and where one experiences fortune or misfortune of a neighboring country as if they had happened to one's own. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Hatred Nations Find Pronounced Lowest

What dazzles, for the moment spends its spirit; Whats genuine, shall posterity inherit. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Dazzles Spirit Genuine Inherit Moment

A vain man can never be altogether rude. Desirous as he is of pleasing, he fashions his manners after those of others. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Rude Vain Man Altogether Desirous

Know'st thou yesterday, its aim and reason? Work'st thou will today for worthier things? Then calmly wait the morrow's hidden season, And fear thou not, what hap soe'er it brings By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Knowst Yesterday Reason Thou Aim

Hast thou, then, nothing more to mention? Com'st ever, thus, with ill intention? Find'st nothing right on earth, eternally? MEPHISTOPHELES No, Lord! I find things, there, still bad as they can be. Man's misery even to pity moves my nature; I've scarce the heart to plague the wretched creature. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Hast Thou Mention Lord Eternally

One who has passed the thirtieth yearalready is as good as deadit would be best to kill you off by then. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Passed Thirtieth Yearalready Good Deadit

Several classical sayings that one likes to repeat had quite a different meaning from the ones later times attributed to them. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Classical Repeat Meaning Times Attributed

Faith is like private capital, stored in one's own house. It is like a public savings bank or loan office, from which individuals receive assistance in their days of need; but here the creditor quietly takes his interest for himself. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Faith Capital Stored House Private

The flowers of life are but illusions. How many fade away and leave no trace. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Illusions Flowers Life Trace Fade

How fair doth NatureAppear again!How bright the sunbeams!How smiles the plain! The flow'rs are burstingFrom ev'ry bough,And thousand voicesEach bush yields now. And joy and gladnessFill ev'ry breast!Oh earth!-oh sunlight!Oh rapture blest! Oh love! oh loved one! By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Sunbeams Plain Fair Doth Natureappear

I am the spirit that negates. And rightly so, for all that comes to be Deserves to perish wretchedly; 'Twere better nothing would begin. Thus everything that that your terms, sin, Destruction, evil represent - That is my proper element. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Negates Spirit Twere Destruction Deserves

Whilst I could not think of any man whose spirit was, or needed to be, more enlarged than the spirit of a genuine merchant. What a thing it is to see the order which prevails throughout his business! By means of this he can at any time survey the general whole, without needing to perplex himself in the details. What advantages does he derive from the system of book-keeping by double entry? It is among the finest inventions of the human mind; every prudent master of a house should introduce it into his economy. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Spirit Whilst Merchant Man Needed

With little wit and ease to suit them, They whirl in narrow circling trails, Like kittens playing with their tails. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Trails Tails Wit Ease Suit

Each has his own happiness in his hands, as the artist handles the rude clay he seeks to reshape it into a figure; yet it is the same with this art as with all others: only the capacity for it is innate; the art itself must be learned and painstakingly practiced. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Art Hands Figure Innate Practiced

School-boy. The spectators thou regardest as on work-days they regard each other. For thee, then, it may be well to wish thyself behind a desk, over ruled ledgers, collecting tolls, and picking out reversions. Thou feelest not the co-operating, co-inspiring By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Schoolboy Thou Coinspiring Thee Desk

I wish someone would dare reproach me about the whole thing so that I could run a dagger through his heart. If only I could see blood. I know I would feel better. Oh, I have picked up a knife a hundred times with the intention of plunging it into my own heart! I have heard tell of a noble breed of stallions who when they are overheated and run wild, instinctively bite open one of their veins to relieve themselves. I feel like that often. I would like to open the vein that would give me eternal freedom. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Heart Dare Reproach Thing Dagger

To quit smoking, you must first want to quit, but then you must also do the quitting By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Quit Smoking Quitting

Life seems so vulgar, so easily content with the commonplace things of every day, and yet it always nurses and cherishes certain higher claims in secret, and looks about for the means of satisfying them. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Life Vulgar Day Secret Easily

Man knows himself only insofar as he knows the world, becoming aware of it if only within himself, and of himself self only within it. Each new subject, well observed, opens up within us a new organ of thought. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Man World Aware Subject Observed

We love a girl for very different qualities than understanding. We love her for her beauty, her youth, her mirth, her confidingness, her character, with its faults, caprices and God knows what other inexpressible charms; but we do not love her understanding. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Love Understanding Girl Qualities God

I myself must also say I believe it is true that in the end humanitarianism will triumph; only I fear that at the same time the world will be one big hospital and each person will be the other person's humane keeper. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Person Triumph Keeper True End

Nature is beneficent. I praise her and all her works. She is silent and wise. She is cunning, but for good ends. She has brought me here and will also lead me away. She may scold me, but she will not hate her work. I trust her. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Nature Beneficent Works Work Praise

Plants and flowers of the commonest kind can form a pleasing diary, because nothing which calls back to us the remembrance of a happy moment can be insignificant. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Plants Diary Insignificant Flowers Commonest

When we see the many grave-stones which have fallen in, which have been defaced by the footsteps of the congregation, which lie buried under the ruins of the churches, that have themselves crumbled together over them; we may fancy the life after death to be as a second life, into which man enters in the figure, or the picture or the inscription, and lives longer there than when he was really alive. But this figure also, this second existence, dies out too, sooner or later. Time will not allow himself to be cheated of his rights with the monuments of men or with themselves. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Life Figure Congregation Churches Inscription

There is nothing insignificant in the world. It all depends on the point of view. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe World Insignificant View Depends Point

Half the night I was on my knees before those flowers, and I regarded them as the pledges of your love; but those impressions grew fainter, and were at length effaced. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Half Flowers Love Fainter Effaced

In all provinces of life, it is unhappily the case, that whatever is to be accomplished by a number of co-operating men and circumstances cannot long continue perfect. Of an acting company as well as of a kingdom, of a circle of friends as well as of an army, you may commonly select the moment when it may be said that all was standing on the highest pinnacle of harmony, perfection, contentment, and activity. But alterations will ere long occur; the individuals that compose the body often change; new members are added; the persons are no longer suited to the circumstances, or the circumstances to the persons; what was formerly united quickly falls asunder. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Circumstances Life Case Perfect Provinces

Nothing can be compared to the new life that the discovery of another country provides for a thoughtful person. Although I am still the same I believe to have changed to the bones. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Person Compared Life Discovery Country

What is the true test of character unless it be its progressive development in the bustle and turmoil, in the action and reaction of daily life. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Turmoil Life True Test Character

PATER SERAPHICUS. Higher rise, still higher, growing Stronger imperceptibly, Near the Divine Presence gaining A more perfect purity! What is it the spirit thrives on, What fills the ethereal space? Endless love whose revelation Blitheness brings, eternal bliss. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Pater Seraphicus Higher Stronger Divine

The mind is found most acute and most uneasy in the morning. Uneasiness is, indeed, a species of sagacity - a passive sagacity. Fools are never uneasy. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Morning Sagacity Mind Found Acute

It is quite beyond me how anyone can believe God speaks to us in books and stories. If the world does not directly reveal to us our relationship to it, if our hearts fail to tell us what we owe ourselves and others, we shall assuredly not learn it from books, which are at best designed but to give names to our errors. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe God Stories Books Speaks Errors

He who is firm and resolute in will molds the world to himself. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Firm Resolute Molds World

This is another one of those creatures whom, like the pelican, I have fed with the blood of my own heart ... There were special circumstances close at hand, urgent, troubling me, and they resulted in the state of mind that produced Werther. I had lived, loved, and suffered much ... That's what it was. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Pelican Heart Creatures Fed Blood

God knows I often retire to my bed wishing (at times even hoping) that I might never wake up; and in the morning I open my eyes, see the sun once again, and am miserable. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe God Wishing Hoping Eyes Miserable

One glance, one word from you gives more pleasure than all the wisdom of this world. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Glance World Word Pleasure Wisdom

Shakespeare is a great psychologist, and whatever can be known of the heart of man may be found in his plays. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Shakespeare Psychologist Plays Great Heart

My friends esteem me; I often contribute to their happiness, and my heart seems as if it could not beat without them; and yet - - if I were to die, if I were to be summoned from the midst of this circle, would they feel - or how long would they feel the void which my loss would make in their existence? How long! Yes, such is the frailty of man, that even there, where he has the greatest consciousness of his own being, where he makes the strongest and most forcible impression, even in the memory, in the heart, of his beloved, there also he must perish - vanish - and that quickly. October By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Feel Long Happiness Die Circle

Love, whose power youth feels, is not suitable for the elderly, just as little as anything that presupposes productivity. It is rare that productivity lasts through the years. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Love Feels Elderly Productivity Power

We blame equally him who is too proud to put a proper value on his own merit and him who prizes too highly his spurious worth. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Worth Blame Equally Proud Put

Neither a work of nature nor one of art we get to know when they have been finished; we must surprise them in the process of beingcreated so as to understand them to some degree. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Finished Degree Work Nature Art

Mountains cannot be surmounted except by winding paths. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Mountains Paths Surmounted Winding

Piety is not an end, but a means: a means of attaining the highest culture by the purest tranquility of soul. Hence it may be observed that those who set up piety as an end and object are mostly hypocrites. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Soul End Piety Attaining Highest

How great a spectacle! But that, I fear,Is all it is. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Spectacle Great Fearis

Favour, as a symbol of sovereignty, is exercised by weak men. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Favour Sovereignty Men Symbol Exercised

Our passions are true phoenixes; as the old burn out the new straight rise up from the ashes. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Phoenixes Ashes Passions True Burn

They should be ashamed of themselves, all these sober people! By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe People Ashamed Sober

The works of Lavoisier and his associates operated upon many of us at that time like the Sun's rising after a night of moonshine: but Chemistry is now betrothed to the Mathematics, and is in consequence grown somewhat shy of her former admirers. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Mathematics Lavoisier Sun Chemistry Moonshine

Nothing is so hard to bear as a train of happy days By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Days Hard Bear Train Happy

Yesterday, when I took leave she seized me by the hand, andsaid, "Adieu, dear Werther." Dear Werther! It was the firsttime she ever called me dear: the sound sunk deep into myheart. I have repeated it a hundred times; and last night, ongoing to bed, and talking to myself of various things, I suddenlysaid, "Good night, dear Werther!" and then could notbut laugh at myself. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Werther Adieu Dear Yesterday Andsaid

Fools and wise-folk are alike harmless. It is the half-wise, and the half-foolish, who are the most dangerous. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Fools Harmless Wisefolk Alike Halfwise

What you have inherited from your fathers, earn over again for yourselves, or it will not be yours. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Fathers Earn Inherited

Since you know me and my destiny only too well, you probably also know what attracts me to all unfortunate people. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe People Destiny Attracts Unfortunate

People of uncommon abilities generally fall into eccentricities when their sphere of life is not adequate to their abilities. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe People Abilities Uncommon Generally Fall

A life without love, without the presence of the beloved, is nothing but a mere magic-lantern show. We draw out slide after slide, swiftly tiring of each, and pushing it back to make haste for the next. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Love Beloved Show Life Presence

If you are convinced of a matter, you must take sides or you don't deserve to succeed. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Matter Succeed Convinced Sides Deserve

I pity those who make much ado about the transitory nature of all things and are lost in the contemplation of earthly vanity: are we not here to make the transitory permanent? This we can do only if we know how to value both. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Transitory Make Vanity Permanent Pity

For a brave man deserves a well-endowed girl. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Girl Brave Man Deserves Wellendowed

I do not know myself, and God forbid that I should. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe God Forbid

I mean now to try and see her as soon as I can: or perhaps, on second thoughts, I had better not; it is better I should behold her through the eyes of her lover. To my sight, perhaps, she would not appear as she now stands before me; and why should I destroy so sweet a picture? By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Thoughts Lover Behold Eyes Sight

Then to the depths! - I could as well say height: It's all the same. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Depths Height

Mystery is truth's dancing partner. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Mystery Partner Truth Dancing

What's done is yet to come. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Every reader, if he has a strong mind, reads himself into the book, and amalgamates his thoughts with those of the author. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Reader Mind Reads Book Author

Whatever Nature undertakes, she can only accomplish it in a sequence. She never makes a leap. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Nature Undertakes Sequence Accomplish Leap

Certain faults are necessary to the individual if he is to exist. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Exist Faults Individual

Not all that is presented to us as history has really happened; and what really happened did not actually happen the way it is presented to us; moreover, what really happened is only a small part of all that happened. Everything in history remains uncertain, the largest events as well as the smallest occurrence. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Happened Presented History Happen Small

Talent develops in quiet places, character in the full current of human life. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Talent Places Character Life Develops

When you take a man as he is, you make him worse. When you take a man as he can be, you make him better. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Man Make Worse

The little that is completed, vanishes from the sight of one who looks forward to what is still to do. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Completed Vanishes Sight Forward

The whole art of living consists in giving up existence in order to exist. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Exist Art Living Consists Giving

There is but one poetry,true poetry. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Poetry Poetrytrue

Colors are light's suffering and joy By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Colors Joy Light Suffering

Suffer or triumph, be the hammer or the anvil. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Suffer Triumph Anvil Hammer

Some books seem to have been written, not to teach us anything, but to let us know that the author has known something. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Written Books Teach Author

For just when ideas fail, a word comes in to save the situation. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Fail Situation Ideas Word Save

The universal subjugator, the commonplace. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Subjugator Commonplace Universal

Everything has been thought of before, but the problem is to think of it again. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Thought Problem

Whoever makes it a rule to test action by thought, thought by action, cannot falter, and if he does, will soon find his way back to the right road. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Falter Road Action Thought Makes

Since Time is not a person we can overtake when he is gone, let us honor him with mirth and cheerfulness of heart while he is passing. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Time Passing Person Overtake Honor

A man's foibles are what makes him lovable. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Lovable Man Foibles Makes

It is in the half fools and the half wise that the greatest danger lies. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Half Lies Fools Wise Greatest

It is impossible that beauty should ever distinctly appreciate itself. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Impossible Beauty Distinctly

I can promise to be sincere, but I cannot promise to be impartial. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Promise Sincere Impartial

Just take a look at our patrons, and you'll knowSome don't appreciate us, others never will. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Patrons Knowsome

He who is wise puts aside all claims which may dissipate his attention, and confining himself to one branch excels in that. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Attention Wise Puts Claims Dissipate

Wisdom is only found in truth. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Wisdom Truth Found

The trouble is small, the fun is great. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Small Great Trouble Fun

Our foibles are really what make us lovable. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Lovable Foibles Make

We rather confess our moral errors, faults, and crimes than our ignorance. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Faults Errors Ignorance Confess Moral

People can only live with their equals, and not even with them; for in the long run they cannot tolerate that someone is their equal. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Equals Equal People Live Long

Man needs but little earth for enjoyment, and still less for his finalrepose. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Man Enjoyment Finalrepose Earth

I am not omniscient, but I know a lot. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Omniscient Lot

Nothing is more dangerous than solitude. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Solitude Dangerous

One errs as long as one strives. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Strives Errs Long

Certain defects are necessary for the existence of individuality. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Individuality Defects Existence

A distracted existence leads us to no goal By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Goal Distracted Existence Leads

Any trifle is enough to entertain two lovers. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Lovers Trifle Entertain

It is opposition that makes us productive. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Productive Opposition Makes

Du hast so viele Leben, wie du Sprachen sprichst. (You have as many lives as the number of languages you speak.) By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Leben Sprachen Wie Sprichst Hast

Rash, inexperienced youth holds itself a chosen instrument, and allows itself unbounded license. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Rash Inexperienced Instrument License Youth

Art is a mediator of the unspeakable. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Art Unspeakable Mediator

Nature has neither core nor skin: she's both at once outside and in. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Nature Skin Core

Theories are usually the over-hasty efforts of an impatient understanding that would gladly be rid of phenomena, and so puts in their place pictures, notions, nay, often mere words. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Notions Nay Theories Phenomena Pictures

To be sure, we have inherited abilities, but our development we owe to thousands of influences coming from the world around us from which we appropriate what we can and what is suitable to us. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Abilities Inherited Development Owe Thousands

Oftentimes I say to myself, "Thou alone art wretched: all other mortals are happy, none are distressed like thee!" Then I read a passage in an ancient poet, and I seem to understand my own heart. I have so much to endure! Have men before me ever been so wretched? By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Thou Oftentimes Happy Thee Wretched

Words are mere sound and smoke, dimming the heavenly light. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Words Smoke Dimming Light Mere

Fortunately a human being can comprehend only a certain degree of unhappiness; anything beyond it destroys him or leaves him cold. There are situations in which fear and hope become one and the same, cancel one another out, and lose themselves in a dark insensateness. How else could we know the people we love best to be in continual danger and yet go on with our daily lives as usual? By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Fortunately Unhappiness Cold Human Comprehend

Does not man lack the force at the very point where he needs it most? And when he soars upward in joy, or sinks down in suffering, is not checked in both, is he not returned again to the dull, cold sphere of awareness, just when he was longing to lose himself in the fullness of the infinite. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Man Lack Force Point Joy

I hope we shall get on together, you and I;I've come to cheer you up - That's whyI'm dressed up like an aristocratIn a fine red coat with golden stitches,A stiff silk cape on top of that,A long sharp dagger in my breeches,And a cockerel's feather in my hat.Take my advice - if I were you,I'd get an outfit like this too;Then you'd be well equipped to seeJust how exciting life can be. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Advice Hope Cheer Whyi Dressed

Every day look at a beautiful picture, read a beautiful poem, listen to some beautiful music, and if possible, say some reasonable thing. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Beautiful Picture Read Poem Listen

Nothing is so atrocious as fancy without taste. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Taste Atrocious Fancy

The soul of the Christian religion is reverence. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Christian Reverence Soul Religion

Continue to make the demands of the day your immediate concern, and take occasion to test the purity of your hearts and the steadfastness of your spirits. When you then take a deep breath and rise above the cares of this world and in an hour of leisure, you will surely win the proper frame of mind to face devoutly what is above us, with reverence, seeing in all events the manifestation of a higher guidance. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Continue Concern Spirits Make Demands

I have found a paper of mine among some others in which I call architecture 'petrified music.' Really there is something in this; the tone of mind produced by architecture approaches the effect of music. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Music Petrified Architecture Found Paper

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. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Song Read Poem Picture Words

The dignity of art probably appears most eminently with music since it does not have any material that needs to be discounted. Music is all form and content and elevates and ennobles everything that it expresses. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Discounted Music Dignity Art Eminently

Music is so elevated that it is beyond the reach of intellect and there flows from it an influence which is all-potent, and which noone can explain. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Music Allpotent Explain Elevated Reach

To blow is not to play on the flute; you must move the fingers.[Ger., Blasen ist nicht floten, ihr musst die Finger bewegen.] By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Ger Blasen Finger Flute Fingers

I bid the chords sweet music make, And all must follow in my wake. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Make Wake Bid Chords Sweet

For in music there is no material to be deducted. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Deducted Music Material

Music is liquid architecture; Architecture is frozen music. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Architecture Music Liquid Frozen

I call architecture frozen music. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Music Call Architecture Frozen

Architecture is crystallized music. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Architecture Music Crystallized

The effects of good music are not just because it's new; on the contrary music strikes us more the more familiar we are with it. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Music Effects Good Contrary Strikes

Music, in the best sense, does not require novelty; nay, the older it is, and the more we are accustomed to it, the greater its effect. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Music Nay Sense Novelty Effect

Architecture is frozen music. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Architecture Music Frozen

Children, like dogs, have so sharp and fine a scent that they detect and hunt out everythingthe bad before all the rest. They also know well enough how this or that friend stands with their parents; and as they practice no dissimulation whatever, they serve as excellent barometers by which to observe the degree of favor or disfavor at which we stand with their parents. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Children Parents Dogs Rest Sharp

Like star that shines afar, slowly now, and without rest, let each man turn with steady sway, around the task that rules the day, and do his best. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Afar Slowly Rest Sway Day

Every creature aflame as it swims through the night! How sea, how shore's held in a burning embrace! Then let Eros reign with whom all things commence! Hurrah for the ocean! Hurrah for the waves 8770 And their crests with the sacred fire ablaze! Hurrah for the water, hurrah for the fire, Hurrah for their union, so rare, with each other! ALL TOGETHER. Hurrah for the gentle caressing breezes! Hurrah for the caves and their secret recesses! Lift up our voices in praise of the four: Water, fire, earth, and air! By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Hurrah Night Fire Water Creature

Men in a state of nature, uncivilized nations, children, have a great fondness for colors in their utmost brightness, and especially for yellow-red. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Children Men Nature Uncivilized Nations

Woe to falsehood! it affords no relief to the breast, like truth; it gives us no comfort, pains him who forges it, and like an arrow directed by a god flies back and wounds the archer. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Woe Falsehood Breast Truth Comfort

He only earns his freedom and his life Who takes them every day by storm. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Storm Earns Freedom Life Day

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. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Powers Strive Dissipate Concentrate Genius

If man thinks about his physical or moral state he usually discovers that he is ill. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Ill Man Physical Moral State

All professional men are handicapped by not being allowed to ignore things which are useless. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Useless Professional Men Handicapped Allowed

No one can walk beneath palm trees with impunity, and ideas are sure to change in a land where elephants and tigers are at home. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Impunity Home Walk Beneath Palm

Thou must (in commanding and winning, or serving and losing, suffering or triumphing) be either anvil or hammer. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Thou Winning Losing Suffering Triumphing

Why should we not recognize in the lightning, the thunder, and the storm wind, the approach of an overwhelming Power, and in the scent of flowers and the gently rustling zephyr the presence of a Being full of love? By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Power Lightning Thunder Wind Love

So then the year is repeating its old story again. We are come once more, thank God! to its most charming chapter. The violets and the Mayflowers are as its inscriptions or vignettes. It always makes a pleasant impression on us, when we open again at these pages of the book of life. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Year Repeating Story God Mayflowers

True observers of nature, although they may think differently, will still agree that everything that is, everything that is observable as a phenomenon, can only exhibit itself in one of two ways. It is either a primal polarity that is able to unify, or it is a primal unity that is able to divide. The operation of nature consists of splitting the united or uniting the divided; this is the eternal movement of systole and diastole of the heartbeat, the inhalation and exhalation of the world in which we live, act, and exist. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe True Differently Phenomenon Nature Observers

Let us live in as small a circle as we will, we are either debtors or creditors before we have had time to look around. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Live Small Circle Debtors Creditors

The confidant of my vices is my master, though he were my valet. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Master Valet Confidant Vices

This life, gentlemen, is too short for our souls. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Gentlemen Life Souls Short

Painting and tattooing the body is a return to animalism. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Painting Animalism Tattooing Body Return

But there are times," said Charlotte, "when it is necessary and an act of friendship to write nothing rather than not to write. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Charlotte Write Times Act Friendship

Wanted: A dog that neither barks nor bites, eats broken glass and shits diamonds. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Wanted Bites Eats Diamonds Dog

In consequence of this information, Wilhelm, with the most sedulous attention, set about preparing the piece, which was to usher him into the great world. "Hitherto," said he, "thou hast labored in silence fo