Quotes by Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von




Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (28 August 1749 - 22 March 1832), commonly known as "Goethe", was a German poet, novelist, philosopher, and scientist who is considered one of the giants of the literary world. In addition, aside from being lawyer and known also as a dramatist, humanist, theorist, and painter, he is also one of few individuals considered to have been a polymath. For ten years, he was chief minister of state for the duchy of Weimar. In 1782 he was ennobled as 'von Goethe'. In his 1809 masterpiece Elective Affinities, he became one of the first to speculate on the nature of interpersonal chemistry. Goethe was one of the key figures of German literature and the movement of Weimar Classicism in the late 18th and early 19th centuries; this movement coincides with Enlightenment, Sentimentality ("Empfindsamkeit"), Sturm und Drang, and Romanticism. The author of Faust and Theory of Colours, he influenced Darwin with his focus on plant morphology. Goethe's influence spread across Europe, and for the next century his works were a primary source of inspiration in music, drama, poetry, and philosophy. He is widely considered to be one of the most important thinkers in Western culture..

"He who is plenteously provided for from within, needs but little from without."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on abundance
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"The greatest difficulties lie where we are not looking for them."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on adversity
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"Age does not make us childish, as some say; it finds us true children."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on age and aging
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"We must not take the faults of our youth with us into old age, for age brings along its own defects."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on age and aging
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"The older we get the more we must limit ourselves if we wish to be active."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on age and aging    Share

"Rejoice that you have still have a long time to live, before the thought comes to you that there is nothing more in the world to see."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on age and aging    Share

"It is only necessary to grow old to become more charitable and even indulgent. I see no fault committed by others that I have not committed myself."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on age and aging    Share

"Unlike grown ups, children have little need to deceive themselves."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on deception
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"We are never deceived; we deceive ourselves."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on deception
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"The person who in shaky times also wavers only increases the evil, but the person of firm decision fashions the universe."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on decisions
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"Ambition and love are the wings to great deeds."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on deeds and good deeds
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"Deny yourself! You must deny yourself! That is the song that never ends."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on denial    Share

"While man's desires and aspirations stir he cannot choose but err."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on desire    Share

"The destiny of any nation at any given time depends on the opinion of its young people, those under twenty-five."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on destiny
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"Only by joy and sorrow does a person know anything about themselves and their destiny. They learn what to do and what to avoid."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on destiny
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"I know nothing more mocking than a devil that despairs."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on evil
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"It is only in misery that we recognize the hand of God leading good men to good."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on direction
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"Doubt can only be removed by action."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on doubt
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"I will listen to anyone's convictions, but pray keep your doubts to yourself."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on doubt
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"We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on doubt
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"Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on dream
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"How can we know ourselves? Never by reflection, but only through action. Begin at once to do your duty and immediately you will know what is inside you."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on duty
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"Love can do much, but duty more."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on duty    Share

"People of uncommon abilities generally fall into eccentricities when their sphere of life is not adequate to their abilities."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on eccentricity
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"They teach in academies far too many things, and far too much that is useless."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on education
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"He who does not think much of himself is much more esteemed than he imagines."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on egotism
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"Mastery passes often for egotism."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on egotism
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"All the knowledge I possess everyone else can acquire, but my heart is all my own."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on emotions
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"Correction does much, but encouragement does more. Encouragement after censure is as the sun after a shower."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on courage
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"No prudent antagonist thinks light of his adversaries."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on enemies
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"He who enjoys doing and enjoys what he has done is happy."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on joy
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"Enjoy what thou has inherited from thy sires if thou wouldn't really possess it. What we employ and use is never an oppressive burden; what the moment brings forth, that only can it profit by."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on joy    Share

"Men are so constituted that every one undertakes what he sees another successful in, whether he has aptitude for it or not."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on envy
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"Every situation, every moment -- is of infinite worth; for it is the representative of a whole eternity."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on eternity
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"Excellence is rarely found, more rarely valued."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on excellence    Share

"What life half gives a man, posterity gives entirely."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on fame    Share

"Wood burns because it has the proper stuff in it; and a man becomes famous because he has the proper stuff in him."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on fame    Share

"If you modestly enjoy your fame you are not unworthy to rank with the holy."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on fame    Share

"More light!"

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on famous last words    Share

"Sowing is not as difficult as reaping."

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von on farming and farmers    Share

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