Quotes from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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 endeavor to efface them.

The wild desires no longer win us, The deeds of passion cease to chain; The love of Man revives within us, The love of God revives again.

Be a man, and conquer an unhappy attachment toward a creature who can do nothing but pity you.

Goats, to the left with you!' the Judge one day will ordain. 'And you, little sheep, stand quietly here on my right!' - Fair enough; but it is to be hoped he will say one thing more, namely: 'As for you, stand right opposite me, you men of sense!

All extraordinary men, who have accomplished great and astonishing actions, have ever been decried by the world as drunken or insane.

Half the night I was on my knees before those flowers, and I regarded them as the pledges of your love; but those impressions grew fainter, and were at length effaced.

I know very well that we are not all equal, nor can be so; but it is my opinion that he who avoids the common people, in order not to lose their respect, is as much to blame as a coward who hides himself from his enemy because he fears defeat. The

No doubt you are right, my best of friends, there would be far less suffering amongst mankind, if men—and God knows why they are so fashioned—did not employ their imaginations so assiduously in recalling the memory of past sorrow, instead of bearing their present lot with equanimity.

The time for useful work flies fast. Why talk of being in the humor? Who hesitates will never be.

Was Du in Dir nährst, das wächst.

But the man who humbly acknowledges the vanity of all this, who observes with what pleasure the thriving citizen converts his little garden into paradise, and how patiently even the poor man pursues his weary way under his burden, and how all wish equally to behold the light of the sun a little longer - yes, such a man is at peace, and creates his own world within himself;

We really learn only from those books that we cannot judge. The author of a book that we were able to judge would have to learn from us.

The lion's fierceness, Mild hart's swiftness, Italian fieriness, Northern steadiness.

Oftentimes I say to myself, "Thou alone art wretched: all other mortals are happy, none are distressed like thee!" Then I read a passage in an ancient poet, and I seem to understand my own heart. I have so much to endure! Have men before me ever been so wretched?

People are so constituted that everybody would rather undertake what they see others do, whether they have an aptitude for it or not.

FAUST You seem to like eavesdropping. MEPHISTOPHELES I am not omniscient, but I know a lot.

The most privileged position, in life as in society, is that of an educated soldier. Rough warriors, at any rate, remain true to their character, and as great strength is usually the cover for good nature, we get on with them at need.

Mefistófeles: "De sol e de mundos nada sei dizer, vejo apenas como os homens se atormentam. O pequeno Deus do mundo [o homem] continua na mesma e está tão admirável assim como no primeiro dia. Um pouco melhor ele viveria, não lhe tivesses dado o brilho da luz celeste; ele chama isto razão e lança mão dela somente para ser mais animalesco do que cada animal.

Thoughts come back; beliefs persist; facts pass by never to return.

The human mind will not be confined to any limits.

Und ich habe wieder bei diesem kleinen Geschäft gefunden, daß Mißverständnisse und Trägheit vielleicht mehr Irrungen in der Welt machen als List und Bosheit. Wenigstens sind die beiden letzteren gewiß seltener.

The human race is but a monotonous affair. Most of them labour the greater part of their time for mere subsistence; and the scanty portion of freedom which remains to them so troubles them that they use every exertion to get rid of it. Oh, the destiny of man!

In life like a flood, in deeds like a storm I surge to and fro, Up and down I flow! Birth and the grave An eternal wave, Turning, returning, A life ever burning; At Time's whirring loom I work and play God's living garment I weave and display.

Man muss immer tun, was man nicht lassen kann.