Top 25 Quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe of 1748 - Page 43

It is said, that no one is a hero to their butler. The reason is, that it requires a hero to recognize a hero. The butler, however, will probably know well how to estimate his equals.

It is said, that no one is a hero to their butler. The reason is, that it requires a hero to recognize a hero. The butler, however, will probably know well how to estimate his equals.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Hero, Reason, Butlers

Perfection is the measure of heaven, and the wish to be perfect the measure of man.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Men, Perfect, Heaven

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2015). “Maxims and Reflections”, p.126, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

A person is never happy till their vague strivings has itself marked out its proper limitations.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Happiness, Inner Peace, Strive

We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Education, Knowledge, Doubt

"Sprüche in Prosa". "Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations", pp. 419-423, 1922.

It would be a lowly art that allowed itself to be understood all at once.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Art, Would Be, Understood

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2004). “The Man of Fifty”, Hesperus Press

I am a part of the part that at first was all, part of the darkness that gave birth to the light, that supercilious light which now disputes with Mother Night her ancient rank and space, and yet cannot succeed; no matter how it struggles, it sticks to matter and can't get free. Light flows from substance, makes it beautiful.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Beautiful, Mother, Struggle

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1941). “Goethe's Faust”

The world is so great and rich, and life so full of variety, that you can never lack occasions for poems.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

World, Rich, Occasions

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1921). “Goethe's Literary Essays”

What I possess I would gladly retain. Change amuses the mind, yet scarcely profits.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Change, Mind, Profit

One can't dull a project better than by discussing it repeatedly.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Dull, Projects, Discussing

There is no trifling with nature; it is always true, grave, and severe; it is always in the light, and the faults and errors fall to our share. It defies incompetency, but reveals its secrets to the competent, the truthful, and the pure.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Nature, Fall, Errors

When ideas fail, words come in very handy.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Sarcastic, War, Sarcasm

Please send me your last pair of shoes, worn out with dancing as you mentioned in your letter, so that I might have something to press against my heart.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Dance, Heart, Ballet Class

To appreciate the noble is a gain which can never be torn from us.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Appreciate, Noble, Literature

Beauty is a manifestation of secret natural laws, which otherwise would have been hidden from us forever.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Beauty, Law, Secret Love

An angel! Nonsense! Everybody so describes his mistress; and yet I find it impossible to tell you how perfect she is, or why she is so perfect: suffice it to say she has captivated all my senses.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Angel, Perfect, Mistress

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2015). “The Sorrows of Young Werther: Top Classic of German”, p.7, 谷月社

Stood I, O Nature! man alone in thee, Then were it worth one's while a man to be.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Men, Thee

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Bayard Taylor (1950). “Faust, a tragedy”

The force of a language does not consist of rejecting what is foreign but of swallowing it.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Doe, Swallowing, Language

People are always talking about originality; but what do they mean? As soon as we are born, the world begins to work upon us; and this goes on to the end. And after all, what can we call our own, except energy, strength, and will? If I could give an account of all that I owe to great predecessors and contemporaries, there would be but a small balance in my favor.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Mean, Talking, People

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Johann Peter Eckermann (2014). “Conversations of Goethe with Johann Peter Eckermann”, p.160, Ravenio Books

No one as ever completed their apprenticeship.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Learning, Experience, Apprenticeship

That which is eternal in Woman lifts us above.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Women, Eternity, Eternal

Those who know nothing of foreign languages know nothing of their own.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Travel, Communication, Inspiration

Without my attempts in natural science, I should never have learned to know mankind such as it is. In nothing else can we so closely approach pure contemplation and thought, so closely observe the errors of the senses and of the understanding, the weak and strong points of character.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Strong, Character, Errors

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Johann Peter Eckermann (2014). “Conversations of Goethe with Johann Peter Eckermann”, p.346, Ravenio Books