Quotes from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Men show their characters in nothing more clearly than in what they think laughable.

So much simplicity with so much understanding — so mild, and yet so resolute — a mind so placid, and a life so active.

If you have a great work in your head, nothing else thrives near it; all other thoughts are repelled, and the pleasure of life itself is for the time lost.

The world only goes forward because of those who oppose it.

I am contented, happy, and consequently a bad historian.

Man sollte alle Tage wenigstens ein kleines Lied hören, ein gutes Gedicht lesen, ein treffliches Gemälde sehen und, wenn es möglich zu machen wäre, einige vernünftige Worte sprechen.

Was ich besitze, seh ich wie im Weiten, Und was verschwand, wird mir zu Wirklichkeiten.

What you feed in yourself that grows.

If any man wish to write in a clear style, let him be first clear in his thoughts.

I'm glad that I am not young in so thoroughly finished a world.

there is no crime of which I cannot conceive myself guilty.

Anyone that doesn't know foreign languages knows nothing of his own.

He calls it reason, using it To be more beast than ever beast was yet.

Why look for conspiracy when stupidity can explain so much.

We must note the curious fact that people are not content with what is simple to understand, but go straight for the more complex problems which they will perhaps never grasp. What is simple to grasp is quite usable and useful, and can keep us occupied for a whole lifetime if it satisfies and stimulates us.

Reading ought to mean understanding; writing ought to mean knowing something; believing ought to mean comprehending; when you desire a thing, you will have to take it; when you demand it, you will not get it; and when you are experienced, you ought to be useful to others.

We are all pilgrims who seek Italy.

Just take a look at our patrons, and you'll know Some don't appreciate us, others never will.

Every one has something in his nature which, if he were to express it openly, would of necessity give offence.

It is true, I am only a wanderer on, a pilgrim on this earth! But are you more?

Die Welt ist voller Torheit, Dumpfheit, Inkonsequenz und Ungerechtigkeit. Es gehört viel Mut dazu, diesen nicht das Feld zu räumen.

Weary of liberty, he suffered himself to be saddled and bridled, and was ridden to death for his pains.

Laisse le grand monde aller son train sonore, nous autres nicherons ici en silence.

What I have lately said of painting is equally true with respect to poetry. It is only necessary for us to know what is really excellent, and venture to give it expression; and that is saying much in few words. To-day I have had a scene, which, if literally related, would, make the most beautiful idyl in the world. But why should I talk of poetry and scenes and idyls? Can we never take pleasure in nature without having recourse to art?