Top 25 Quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe of 1748 - Page 21

God made man simple, but how he changed and got complicated is hard to say.

God made man simple, but how he changed and got complicated is hard to say.

Men, Simple, Simplicity

Let him who believes in immortality enjoy his happiness in silence; he has no reason to give himself airs about it.

Believe, Air, Giving

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Johann Peter Eckermann (2014). “Conversations of Goethe with Johann Peter Eckermann”, p.82, Ravenio Books

To be sure, a good work of art can and will have moral consequences, but to demand of the artists moral intentions, means ruiningtheir craft.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Art, Mean, Crafts

Oh happy he who still can hope in our day to breathe the truth while plunged in seas of error! What we don't know is really what we need, and what we know is of no use to us whatever!

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Sea, Errors, Needs

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1985). “Faust/Bilingual”, Bantam Classics

It is not enough to have knowledge; one must apply it. It is not enough to have wishes; one must also accomplish it.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Knowledge, Wish, Enough

The written word has this advantage, that it lasts and can await the time when it is allowed to take effect.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Lasts, Advantage, Written Word

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2015). “Maxims and Reflections”, p.134, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The older we get the more we must limit ourselves if we wish to be active.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Time, Wish, Age

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Carl Friedrich Zelter (1892). “Goethe's Letters to Zelter: With Extracts from Those of Zelter to Goethe”

To be loved for what one is, that is the greatest exception. The great majority love in others only what they lend him; their own selves, their version of him.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Love, Self, Majority

Wild dreams torment me as I lie. And though a god lives in my heart, though all my power waken at his word, though he can move my every inmost part - yet nothing in the outer world is stirred. thus by existence tortured and oppressed I crave for death, I long for rest.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Dream, Lying, Moving

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, David Luke (1998). “Faust”, p.48, Oxford University Press, USA

I respect the man who knows distinctly what he wants.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Respect, Men, Goal

Those who make use of devotion as a means and end generally are hypocrites.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Hypocrite, Mean, Use

A man is not little when he finds it difficult to cope with circumstances, but when circumstances overmaster him.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Men, Littles, Difficult

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, John Stuart Blackie (1883). “The Wisdom of Goethe”, Edinburgh, W. Blackwood

A good person, striving dimly, Is well aware of the right path.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Path, Good Person, Strive

One cannot always be a hero, but one can always be a man.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Hero, Men, Be A Man

There speaks the man of truly noble ways, Who will not listen to the words of praise. In modesty averse, and with deaf ears, He acts as though the others were his peers.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Men, Peers, Noble

In society every man is taken for what he gives himself out to be; but he must give himself out to be something. Better to be slightly disagreeable than altogether insignificant.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Taken, Character, Men

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, John Stuart Blackie (1883). “The Wisdom of Goethe”, Edinburgh, W. Blackwood

Correction does much, but encouragement does more. Encouragement after censure is as the sun after a shower.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Hope, Encouragement, Appreciation

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1853). “Goethe's Opinions on the World, Mankind, Literature, Science, and Art”, p.55

If you must tell me your opinions, tell me what you believe in. I have plenty of doubts of my own.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Believe, Doubt, Belief

Few are open to conviction, but the majority of men are open to persuasion

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Men, Majority, Persuasion

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1853). “Goethe's Opinions on the World, Mankind, Literature, Science, and Art”, p.52

He only earns his freedom and his life Who takes them every day by storm.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Love, Life, Dream

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1978). “Goethe's Faust: An abridged version”

Man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him or passes by him and leaves him apathetic

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Men, Suffering, Degrees

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2013). “Delphi Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Illustrated)”, p.754, Delphi Classics

Prudent and active men, who know their strength and use it with limit and circumspection, alone go far in the affairs of the world.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Men, Limits, Use

To make an epoch in the world, two conditions are manifestly essential-a good head and a great inheritance.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Greatness, Two, Essentials

When you are in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude. We don't get to know people when they come to us; we must go to them to find out what they are like.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Attitude, Differences, People

Everyone only hears what he understands.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes - Page 21

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