Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes about Suffering

Man... knows only when he is satisfied and when he suffers, and only his sufferings and his satisfactions instruct him concerning himself, teach him what to seek and what to avoid. For the rest, man is a confused

Man... knows only when he is satisfied and when he suffers, and only his sufferings and his satisfactions instruct him concerning himself, teach him what to seek and what to avoid. For the rest, man is a confused creature; he knows not whence he comes or whither he goes, he knows little of the world, and above all, he knows little of himself.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Confused, Men, Suffering

The flowers of life are but visionary. How many pass away and leave no trace behind! How few yield any fruit,--and the fruit itself, how rarely does it ripen! And yet there are flowers enough; and is it not strange, my friend, that we should suffer the little that does really ripen to rot, decay, and perish unenjoyed?

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Flower, Yield, Suffering

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2017). “The Sorrows of Young Werther (English German Edition, illustrated): Die Leiden des jungen Werther (Englisch Deutsch Ausgabe illustriert)”, p.105, Clap Publishing, LLC.

A great artist... must be shaken by the naked truths that will not be comforted. This divine discontent, this disequilibrium, this state of inner tension is the source of artistic energy.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Artist, Suffering, Energy

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1949). “Truth and Fantasy from My Life”

Say what you will of fortitude, but show me the man who can patiently endure the laughter of fools when they have obtained an advantage over him. 'Tis only when their nonsense is without foundation that one can suffer it without complaint.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Laughter, Men, Suffering

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2015). “The Sorrows of Young Werther: Top Classic of German”, p.36, 谷月社

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

You must either conquer and rule or serve and lose, suffer or triumph, be the anvil or the hammer.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Success, War, Suffering

What is the destiny of man, but to fill up the measure of his sufferings, and to drink his allotted cup of bitterness?

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Destiny, Men, Suffering

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2015). “The Sorrows of Young Werther: Top Classic of German”, p.45, 谷月社

The suffering may be moral or physical; and in my opinion it is just as absurd to call a man a coward who destroys himself, as to call a man a coward who dies of a malignant fever.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Men, Suffering, Coward

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2015). “The Sorrows of Young Werther: Top Classic of German”, p.23, 谷月社

It is better for you to suffer an injustice than for the world to be without law. Therefore, let everyone submit to the law.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Law, Suffering, World

Does not man lack the force at the very point where he needs it most? And when he soars upward in joy, or sinks down in suffering, is not checked in both, is he not returned again to the dull, cold sphere of awareness, just when he was longing to lose himself in the fullness of the infinite.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Men, Joy, Suffering

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1990). “Sammlung”, Burns & Oates

Thou must (in commanding and winning, or serving and losing, suffering or triumphing) be either anvil or hammer.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Fate, Winning, Suffering

Ah, how often I've cursed those foolish pages, That showed my youthful sufferings to everyone! If Werther had been my brother, and I'd killed him, His sad ghost could hardly have persecuted me more.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Brother, Suffering, Pages

"Roman Elegies". Book by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Elegy 2 (First version), 1902.