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Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes - Page 52

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It is better to be doing the most insignificant thing than to reckon even a half-hour insignificant.

It is better to be doing the most insignificant thing than to reckon even a half-hour insignificant.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Insignificant Things, Half, Hours

Thou shalt abstain, Renounce, refrain.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Temptation, Renounce, Refrain
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2015). “Faust: Top Classic of German”, p.80, 谷月社

Vanity is a desire of personal glory, the wish to be appreciated, honoured, and run after, not because of one's personal qualities, merits, and achievements, but because of one's individual existence. At best, therefore, it is a frivolous beauty whim it befits.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Running, Personal Qualities, Vanity
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2015). “Maxims and Reflections”, p.134, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

There are three classes of readers; some enjoy without judgment; others judge without enjoyment; and some there are who judge while they enjoy, and enjoy while they judge. The latter class reproduces the work of art on which it is engaged. Its numbers are very small.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Art, Reading, Class
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1853). “Goethe's Opinions on the World, Mankind, Literature, Science, and Art”, p.34

To be active is the primary vocation of man.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Men, Action, Vocation
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, John Stuart Blackie (1883). “The Wisdom of Goethe”, Edinburgh, W. Blackwood

All that is alive tends toward color, individuality, specificity, effectiveness and opacity. All that is done with life inclines toward knowledge, abstraction, generality transfiguration and transparency.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Effectiveness, Color, Individuality

It is only in misery that we recognize the hand of God leading good men to good.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Leadership, Men, Hands

One would give generous alms if one had the eyes to see the beauty of a cupped receiving hand.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Eye, Hands, Giving

Names are but noise and smoke, Obscuring heavenly light.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Light, Names, Noise

The poet should seize the Particular, and he should, if there be anything sound in it, thus represent the Universal.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Sound, Poet, Should
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Johann Peter Eckermann (2014). “Conversations of Goethe with Johann Peter Eckermann”, p.163, Ravenio Books

A vain man can never be utterly ruthless: he wants to win applause and therefore he accommodates himself to others

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Winning, Men, Want

Too rigid scruples are concealed pride.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Pride, Scruples, Concealed
"Iphigenia in Tauris". Play by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, IV. 4. 120, April 6, 1779.

For a strolling damsel a doubtful reputation bears.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Bears, Reputation, Strolling
"Hermann and Dorothea". Poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, VII. 93, October 1797.

The whole art of living consists in giving up existence in order to exist.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Life, Art, Giving Up
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2013). “Delphi Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Illustrated)”, p.3535, Delphi Classics

The words you've bandied are sufficient; 'Tis deeds that I prefer to see. [Ger., Der Worte sind genug gewechselt, Lasst mich auch endlich Thaten sehn.]

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Deeds, Sufficient

In all things, to serve from the lowest station upwards is necessary. To restrict yourself to a trade is best. For the narrow mind, whatever he attempts is still a trade; for the higher, an art; and the highest in doing one thing does all, or, to speak less paradoxically, in the one thing which he does rightly he sees the likeness of all that is done rightly.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Art, Speak Less, Mind
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Thomas Carlyle, Henry Duff Traill (1824). “Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship and Travels”, p.228

Most men, even the most accomplished, are of limited faculties; every one sets a value on certain qualities in himself and others: these alone he is willing to favour, these alone will he have cultivated.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Men, Quality, Favour

The loss of a much-prized treasure is only half felt when we have not regarded its tenure as secure.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Loss, Half, Treasure

Several classical sayings that one likes to repeat had quite a different meaning from the ones later times attributed to them.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Different, Likes, Repeats

Instruction does much, but encouragement everything.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Encouragement, Doe, Letters
Letter to A. F. Oeser, November 09, 1768.

The decline in literature indicates a decline in the nation. The two keep pace in their downward tendency.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Creativity, Two, Pace
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1853). “Goethe's Opinions on the World, Mankind, Literature, Science, and Art”, p.109

The history of mankind is his character.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Character, History, Historical

How marvelous, wide and broad is my Inheritance! Time is my property, my estate is time.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Time, Inheritance, Broads

When an idea is wanting, a word can always be found to take its place.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Ignorance, Ideas, Found

Mannerism is always longing to have done, and has no true enjoyment in work. A genuine, really great talent, on the other hand, has its greatest happiness in execution.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Hands, Style, Execution
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Johann Peter Eckermann (2014). “Conversations of Goethe with Johann Peter Eckermann”, p.87, Ravenio Books

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