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Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes - Page 8

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Words are good, but there is something better. The best cannot be explained by words. The spirit in which we act is the chief matter. Action can only be only understood and represented by the spirit.

Words are good, but there is something better. The best cannot be explained by words. The spirit in which we act is the chief matter. Action can only be only understood and represented by the spirit.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Matter, Spirit, Action
"Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship: A Novel".

Nothing is more terrible than to see ignorance in action.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Ignorance, Ignorant, Literature
Maxims and Reflections I

A genuine work of art usually displeases at first sight, as it suggests a deficiency in the spectator.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Art, Sight, Firsts

What one has wished for in youth, in old age one has in abundance.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Age, Youth, Abundance
Wahrheit und Dichtung (Poetry and Truth) pt. 2, ch. 6 (1811 - 1833)

The art of living rightly is like all arts; it must be learned and practiced with incessant care.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Art, Life Lesson, Learning

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.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Life, Moving, Thinking

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 as out of the narrow circle in which others tread out their anguished, miserable existences!

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Art, Lying, Men

If you've never eaten while crying you don t know what life tastes like.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Life, Reality, Inspire

I love those who yearn for the impossible.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Love, Philosophy, Life Is Good
"Faust, Part 2". Book by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Act II, "Classical Walpurgis Night", 1832.

The dangers of life are infinite, and among them is safety.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Greatness, Safety, Risk

The public wishes itself to be managed like a woman; one must say nothing to it except what it likes to hear.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Wish, Hearing, Likes

Just begin and the mind grows heated; continue, and the task will be completed!

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Motivational, Mind, Tasks

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.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Inspirational, Motivational, Adversity
Maxims and Reflections (1819)

Every day look at a beautiful picture, read a beautiful poem, listen to some beautiful music, and if possible, say some reasonable thing.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Motivational, Beautiful, Looks

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.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Spring, Winter, Thinking
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2013). “Delphi Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Illustrated)”, p.980, Delphi Classics

Begin by instructing yourself, then you will receive instruction from others.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Happiness, Instruction

Money lost, something lost. Honor lost, much lost. Courage lost, everything lost-better you were never born

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Courage, Honor, Lost Everything

Everything that frees our spirit without giving us control of ourselves is ruinous.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Happiness, Giving, Spirit
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2013). “Delphi Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Illustrated)”, p.3516, Delphi Classics

But one must know where one stands, and where the others wish to go.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Advice, Wish, Knows

Every second is of infinite value.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Time, Helping, Infinite

Girls we love for what they are; young men for what they promise to be.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Love, Life, Girl
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, John Oxenford (2013). “The Auto-Biography of Goethe: Truth and Poetry: From My Own Life”, p.6, Cambridge University Press

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.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Education, Science, Medicine

Gray are all the theories, But green is the tree of life.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Tree, Green, Theory

Someday perhaps the inner light will shine forth from us, and the we'll need no other light.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Light, Shining, Needs

Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Leadership, Hope, Motivation

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