Quotes from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Error is to truth as sleep is to waking. I have observed that one turns, as if refreshed, from error back to truth.

Wisdom is only found in truth.

If it is the greatest truth that you seek, the plants can direct you.

Help me to discover Thy truth, O Lord, and preserve me from those who have already found it

For usually people resist as long as they can to dismiss the fool they harbor in their bosom, they resist to confess a major mistake or to admit a truth that makes them despair.

One must keep repeating the Truth.

The most foolish of all errors is for clever young men to believe that they forfeit their originality in recognizing a truth which has already been recognized by others.

A man avails himself of the truth so long as it is serviceable; but he seizes on what is false with a passionate eloquence as soon as he can make a momentary use of it.

A mathematician is only perfect insofar as he is a perfect man, sensitive to the beauty of truth.

Voluntary dependence is the wonderful form of existence, and how could that be possible without love?

Where confidence is wanting, the most beautiful flower in the garland of love is missing.

Hatred is partial, but love is still more so.

Any trifle is enough to entertain two lovers.

Those only obtain love, for the most part, who seek it not.

Love grants in a moment What toil can hardly achieve in an age. [Ger., In einem Augenblick gewahrt die Liebe Was Muhe kaum in langer Zeit erreicht.]

He who can not learn to love must flatter.

Children, love one another, and if that is not possible-at least try to put up with one another.

To make a young couple love each other, it is only necessary to oppose and separate them.

Only the soul that loves is happy

A king there was once reigning, Who had a goodly flea, Him loved he without feigning, As his own son were he!

For that is love's nature that it lays claim to exclusive right and that all other claims are nil.

One never learns to understand truly anything but what one loves.

There is no way to face the great advantages of another person than through love.

There is no remedy but love for the great superiority of others