Goethe Quotes

Everything is simpler than one can imagine, and yet complicated and inter-twined beyond comprehension.

Just as, out of habit, one consults a run-down clock as though it were still going, so too one may look at the face of a beautiful woman as though he still loved her.

Analysis and synthesis are both as necessary to the thinking spirit as inspiration and expiration to the organism.

What must the English and French think of the language of our philosophers when we Germans do not understand it ourselves?

Perseverance is a silent power that grows irresistibly greater with time.

A lot of people do not care about your money until nearly penniless. They also do so with time

Whoever strenuously endeavors, him we can rescue.

To live as one likes is plebian the noble man aspires to order and law.

Everything we do has a result. But that which is right and prudent does not always lead to good, nor the contrary to what is bad.

If we meet someone who owes us a debt of gratitude, we remember the fact at once. How often we can meet someone to whom we owe a debt of gratitude without thinking about it at all!

Nature understands no jesting. She is always true, always serious, always severe. She is always right, and the errors are always those of man.

To act is easy; to think is hard.

A plant is like a self-willed man, out of whom we can obtain all which we desire, if we will only treat him his own way.

Do people conform to the instructions of us old ones? Each thinks he must know best about himself, and thus many are lost entirely.

Try novelties for salesman's bait, For novelty wins everyone.

Whoso shrinks from ideas ends by having nothing but sensations.

Everything in the world may be endured, except only a succession of prosperous days. [Ger., Alles in der Welt lasst sich ertragen, Nur nicht eine Reihe von schonen Tagen.]

A man may twist as he pleases, and do what he pleases, but he inevitably comes back to the track to which nature has destined him.

He only fears men who does not know them, and he who avoids them will soon misjudge them.

To like things like, whatever one may ail; There is certain help.

Conscience is the virtue of the observers not the agents of action

Men in a state of nature, uncivilized nations, children, have a great fondness for colors in their utmost brightness, and especially for yellow-red.

Our virtues and view spring from one root.

If the whole world I once could see On free soil stand, with the people free Then to the moment might I say, Linger awhile. . .so fair thou art.

My days are as happy as those reserved by God for his elect; and whatever be my fate hereafter, I can never say that I have not tasted joy— the purest joy of life.

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!

I've often heard it said a preacher might learn with a comedian for a teacher.

One mind is enough for a thousand hands.

The present moment is a powerful goddess.

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.

Democracy does not race, it reaches the finish slowly but surely.

How can we learn self-knowledge? Never by taking thought but rather by action. Try to do your duty and you'll soon discover what you're like.

Whatever is the object of a saint's hope is the subject of his prayer.

Yet here I stand poor fool what more, not one wit wiser than before.

The fine emotions whence our lives we mold Lie in the earthly tumult dumb and cold.

My worthy friend, gray are all theories And green alone Life's golden tree.

Sing it not in mournful numbers.

In society every man is taken for what he gives himself out to be; but he must give himself out to be something. Better to be slightly disagreeable than altogether insignificant.

The rose is wont with pride to swell, and ever seeks to rise.

The angles even Draw strength from gazing on its glance, Though none its meaning fathom may; The world's unwither'd countenance Is bright as at creation's day.

A king there was once reigning, Who had a goodly flea, Him loved he without feigning, As his own son were he!

The close and thoughtful observer more and more learns to recognize his limitations. He realizes that with the steady growth of knowledge more and more new problems keep on emerging.

Everything has been thought of before, but the problem is to think of it again.

Art is constitutive-the artist determines beauty. He does not take it over.

Toleration ought in reality to be merely a transitory mood. It must lead to recognition. To tolerate is to affront.

If I say to the moment: 'Stay now! You are so beautiful'!

I wish the crowd to feel itself well treated, Especially since it lives and lets me live.

Art will always be art.

True works of art are a manifestation of the higher laws of nature.

The day is for mistake and error, sequence of time for success and carrying out. The one who anticipates is master of the day.