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Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes - Page 68

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As beauteous is the world, and many a joy Floats through its wide dominion. But, alas, When we would seize the winged good, it flies.

As beauteous is the world, and many a joy Floats through its wide dominion. But, alas, When we would seize the winged good, it flies.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Joy, World, Dominion
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Anna Swanwick, Henry George Bohn (1860). “Dramatic works of Goethe: comprising Faust, Iphigenia in Tauris, Torquato Tasso, Egmont”, p.273

All understanding begins in wonder!

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Understanding, Wonder

How can one learn to know oneself? Never by introspection, rather by action.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Action, Introspection, Knowing Oneself

As our inclinations, so our opinions.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Opinion, Inclination

Most man 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.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Men, Errors, Care
Conversations with Goethe 15 October (1825)

The society of women is the element of good manners.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Good Man, Elements, Manners
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1897). “Criticisms, reflections, and maxims of Goethe: Tr., with an introduction”

Commonplaceness, the surrender to the average, that good which is not bad but still the enemy of the best - That is our besetting danger.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Average, Enemy, Surrender

Alas, I have studied philosophy, the law as well as medicine, and to my sorrow, theology; studied them well with ardent zeal, yet here I am, a wretched fool, no wiser than I was before.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Philosophy, Medicine, Here I Am
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (2011). “Faust”, p.31, Bantam Classics

Could we perfect human nature, we might also expect a perfect state of things.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Perfect, Might, Human Nature
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Johann Peter Eckermann (2014). “Conversations of Goethe with Johann Peter Eckermann”, p.81, Ravenio Books

A noble man is led by woman's gentle words.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Men, Noble Man, Gentle

The few of understanding, vision rare, Who veiled not from the herd their hearts, but tried, Poor generous fools, to lay their feelings bare, Them have men always burnt and crucified.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Heart, Men, Understanding

The spirit from which we act is the principal matter.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Matter, Spirit, Principal

Nothing is good for a nation but that which arises from its own core and its own general wants, without apish imitation of another.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Want, Imitation, Arise
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Johann Peter Eckermann (2014). “Conversations of Goethe with Johann Peter Eckermann”, p.75, Ravenio Books

Once you have missed the first buttonhole, you'll never manage to button up.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Opportunity, Buttons, Firsts

Lord Byron is only great as a poet; as soon as he reflects he is a child.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Children, Reflection, Poet
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Johann Peter Eckermann (2014). “Conversations of Goethe with Johann Peter Eckermann”, p.121, Ravenio Books

Modern poets add a lot of water to their ink.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Water, Poetry, Ink
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, W. B. Rönnfeldt (1898*). “Goethe's Criticisms, Reflections, and Maxims”

One is never satisfied with the portrait of a person that one knows.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Portraits, Portraiture, Self Portrait

What you have inherited from your forefathers, it takes work to make it your own.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Talent, Forefathers

If I work incessantly to the last, nature owes me another form of existence when the present one collapses.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Work, Lasts, Form
Letter to Eckermann, February 04, 1829.

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.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Dream, Courage, Responsibility

I always had an aversion to your apostles of freedom; each but sought for himself freedom to do what he liked.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Freedom, Aversion, Apostles

It used to happen, and still happens, to me to take no pleasure in a work of art at the first sight of it, because it is too much for me; but if I suspect any merit in it, I try to get at it; and then I never fail to make the most gratifying discoveries--to find new qualities in the work itself and new faculties in myself.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Art, Sight, Discovery
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2015). “Maxims and Reflections”, p.74, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

When Nature begins to reveal her open secret to a man, he feels an irresistible longing for her worthiest interpreter, Art.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Art, Men, Secret
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2013). “Delphi Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Illustrated)”, p.3576, Delphi Classics

Beauty can never really understand itself.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Beauty
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2015). “Maxims and Reflections”, p.79, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Exercise, Discovery, Long
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2013). “Delphi Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Illustrated)”, p.3588, Delphi Classics

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