Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes about Knowledge

Belief is not the beginning of knowledge - it is the end.

Belief is not the beginning of knowledge - it is the end.

Knowledge, Belief, Ends

The greater the knowledge, the greater the doubt.

Knowledge, Doubt, Greater

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1853). “Goethe's Opinions on the World, Mankind, Literature, Science, and Art”, p.24

With the growth of knowledge our ideas must from time to time be organized afresh. The change takes place usually in accordance with new maxims as they arise, but it always remains provisional.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Knowledge, Ideas, Growth

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1906). “The Maxims and Reflections of Goethe”

At all times it has not been the age, but individuals alone, who have worked for knowledge. It was the age which put Socrates to death by poison, the age which burnt Huss. The ages have always remained alike.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Knowledge, Age, Poison

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2015). “Maxims and Reflections”, p.93, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Thinking is more interesting than knowing, but less interesting than looking.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Knowledge, Thinking, Knowing

It is not enough to have knowledge; one must apply it. It is not enough to have wishes; one must also accomplish it.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Knowledge, Wish, Enough

Never by reflection, but only by doing is self- knowledge possible to one.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Knowledge, Acceptance, Reflection

Self-knowledge comes from knowing other men.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Knowledge, Men, Self

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2013). “Delphi Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Illustrated)”, p.1891, Delphi Classics

What a man does not understand, he does not possess.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Knowledge, Men, Doe

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2015). “Maxims and Reflections”, p.68, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

When intelligent and sensible people despise knowledge in their old age, it is only because they have asked too much of it and of themselves.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Knowledge, Intelligent, People

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

Mediocrity has no greater consolation than in the thought that genius is not immortal.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Knowledge, Genius, Mediocrity

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1868). “Novels and Tales by Goethe”, p.153

The real scholar learns how to evolve the unknown from the known, and draws near the master.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Real, Knowledge, Masters

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2015). “Maxims and Reflections”, p.118, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Education, Knowledge, Doubt

"Sprüche in Prosa". "Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations", pp. 419-423, 1922.

It will be! the mass is working clearer! Conviction gathers, truer, nearer! The mystery which for Man in Nature lies We dare to test, by knowledge led; And that which she was wont to organize We crystallize, instead.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Lying, Hard Work, Knowledge

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1912). “Faust”