Quotes from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I find by this, how much an author injures his works by altering them, even though they be improved in a poetical point of view. The first impression is readily received. We are so constituted that we believe the most incredible things; and, once they are engraved upon the memory, woe to him who would endeavour to efface them.

Did I not feel charmed at those truly genuine expressions of nature, which, though but little mirthful in reality, so often amused us?

15 "General ideas and great conceit are always a fair way to bring about terrible misfortune.

His easy going behavior contrasts greatly with my restlessness

A vast dawning entirety lies before the soul, our senses lose themselves in it as do our eyes and oh! we long to make the oblation of all our being and to be filled utterly with the bliss of a single large and glorious feeling.—And oh! when we hurry after it, when There becomes Here, all is as it was and we stand in our poverty, in our narrowness, and the soul in us parches for the elusive freshening.

A hundred times have I seized a dagger, to give ease to this oppressed heart. Naturalists tell of a noble race of horses that instinctively open a vein with their teeth, when heated and exhausted by a long course, in order to breathe more freely. I am often tempted to open a vein, to procure for myself everlasting liberty.

Part of that Power, not understood, Which always wills the Bad, and always works the Good.

I treat my little heart like a sick child: whatever it wishes for is granted.

How many kings are governed by their ministers — how many ministers by their secretaries? Who, in such cases, is really the chief? He, as it seems to me, who can see through the others, and possesses strength or skill enough to make their power or passions subservient to the execution of his own designs. January

One hundred times have I been on the point of embracing her. Heavens! What a torment it is to see so much loveliness passing and repassing before us, and yet not dare to lay hold of it. And laying hold is the most natural of human instincts. So not children touch everything they see? And I!

He who possesses science and art also has religion; but he who possesses neither of those two, let him have religion!

Mephistopholese: But we, more cunning in our cares, Must take our joys before they fade.

Poor souls! their miseries seem so much to please 'em, I scarce can find it in my heart to tease 'em.

Und zuletzt, des Lichts begierig, Bist du Schmetterling verbrannt

I think of you when upon the sea the sun flings her beams. I think of you when the moonlight shines in silvery streams. I see you when upon the distant hills the dust awakes; At night when on a fragile bridge the traveler quakes. I hear you when the billows rise on high, With murmur deep. To tread the silent grove where wander I, When all's asleep.

Begitu anda percaya pada diri anda sendiri, Anda tahu bagaimana harus hidup.

Live dangerously and you live right.

Îmi pre?uie?te inteligen?a ?i talentele mai mult decât inima, care e totu?i singura mea mândrie, care e singurul izvor al oric?rei for?e, al oric?rei fericiri, al oric?rui necaz. Ah, ceea ce ?tiu poate ?ti oricine, dar inima mea e numai a mea!

It's irrelevant whether what one says is true or false: both will be contradicted.

Unqualified activity, of whatever kind, leads at last to bankruptcy.

Investigate what is, and not what pleases.

Here the old man said with a smile: 'Love does not rule, but it trains, and that is more.

MEPHISTO. I am the spirit that says no, no, Always! And how right I am! For surely It's right that everything that comes to be Should cease to be. And so they do. Still better Would be nothing ever was. Hence sin And havoc and ruin—all you call evil, in sum— For me's the element in which I swim.

Ah, when, within our narrow chamber The lamp with friendly lustre glows, Flames in the breast each faded ember, And in the heart, itself that knows. Then Hope again lends sweet assistance, And Reason then resumes her speech: One yearns, the rivers of existence, The very founts of Life, to reach.