Top 25 Quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe of 1748 - Page 10

Nothing is worth more than this day.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Bad Day, Carpe Diem, Garden

"Maxims and Reflections". Book by by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Maxim 789, 1833.

The hero draws inspiration from the virtue of his ancestors.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Inspiration, Hero, Virtue

Error is acceptable as long as we are young; but one must not drag it along into old age.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Birthday, Errors, Long

It is only necessary to grow old to become more charitable and even indulgent. I see no fault committed by others that I have not committed myself.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Time, Age, Faults

That is the way of youth and life in general: that we do not understand the strategy until after the campaign is over.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Life, Campaigns, Way

Tolerance comes of age. I see no fault committed that I myself could not have committed at some time or other.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Time, Tolerance, Age

When two men quarrel, who owns the cooler head is the more to blame.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Men, Two, Blame

If you miss the first buttonhole, you will not succeed in buttoning up your coat.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Missing, Coats, Firsts

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2015). “Maxims and Reflections”, p.130, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

By seeking and blundering we learn.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Education, Mistake, Learning

Some people spend the day in complaining of a headache, and the night in drinking the wine that gives it.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Drinking, Wine, Night

The important thing in life is to have a great aim, and the determination to attain it.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Motivational, Determination, Things In Life

Quite often, as life goes on, when we feel completely secure as we go on our way, we suddenly notice that we are trapped in error, that we have allowed ourselves to be taken in by individuals, by objects, have dreamt up an affinity with them which immediately vanishes before our waking eye; and yet we cannot tear ourselves away, held fast by some power that seems incomprehensible to us. Sometimes, however, we become fully aware and realize that error as well as truth can move and spur us on to action.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Life, Moving, Taken

If you wish to know the mind of a man, listen to his words.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Men, Mind, Wish

It is a maxim of wise government to treat people not as they should be but as they actually are.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Wise, Government, People

This is the highest wisdom that I own; freedom and life are earned by those alone who conquer them each day anew.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Life, Softball, Wisdom

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Walter Arnold Kaufmann (1961). “Faust: part one and sections from part two”

How many years must a man do nothing, before he can at all know what is to be done and how to do it!

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Men, Years, Done

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2015). “Maxims and Reflections”, p.140, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The formation of one's character ought to be everyone's chief aim.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Character, Chiefs, Aim

The further one advances in experience, the closer one comes to the unfathomable; the more one learns to utilize experience, the more one recognizes that the unfathomable is of no practical value.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Learning, Experience, Practicals

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1963). “Goethe's world view: presented in his reflections and maxims”

To make something you have to be something.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

There are two things children should get from their parents: roots and wings.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Baby, Children, Wings

Battle not with monsters, for then you become one.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Battle, Monsters

All ages have said and repeated that one should strive to know one's self. This is a strange demand which no one up to now has measured up to and, strictly considered, no one should. With all their study and effort, people are directed to what is outside, to the world about them, and they are kept busy coming to know this and to master it to the extent that their purposes require. . . . How can you come to know yourself? Never by thinking, always by doing. Try to do your duty, and you'll know right away what you amount to. And what is your duty? Whatever the day calls for.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Thinking, Self, People

And what does really matter? That is easy: thinking and doing, doing and thinking--and these are the sum of all wisdom. . . . Both must move ever onward in life, to and fro, like breathing in and breathing out.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Life, Moving, Thinking

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1963). “Goethe's world view: presented in his reflections and maxims”