Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes - Page 15

• Everyone holds his fortune in his own hands, like a sculptor the raw material he will fashion into a figure. But it's the same with that type of artistic activity as with all others: We are merely born with the capability to do it. The Skill to mold the material into what we want must be learned and attentively cultivated.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Fashion, Hands, Skills

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• Whatever Nature undertakes, she can only accomplish it in a sequence. She never makes a leap.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Nature, Accomplish, Leap

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1966). “Conversations and encounters”

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• There is strong shadow where there is much light.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Strong, Light, Shadow

  "Goetz of Berlichingen, with the iron hand". Book by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Act I, 1773.

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• Nothing is more terrible than to see ignorance in action.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Ignorance, Ignorant, Literature

  Maxims and Reflections I

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• The hero draws inspiration from the virtue of his ancestors.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Inspiration, Hero, Virtue

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• Truth must be repeated again and again, because error is constantly being preached round about.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Truth, Errors, Again And Again

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• Let no one be like another, yet everyone like the highest. How is this done? Be each one perfect in himself.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Perfect, Meaning Of Life, Done

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• Man's highest merit always is, as much as possible, to rule external circumstances and as little as possible to let himself be ruled by them.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Men, Littles, Merit

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1924). “Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship and Travels”, p.428, Library of Alexandria

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• Begin by instructing yourself, then you will receive instruction from others.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Happiness, Instruction

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• 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

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• A reasonable man needs only to practice moderation to find happiness.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Men, Practice, Needs

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• Man can find no better retreat from the world than art, and man can find no stronger link with the world than art.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Art, Hipster, Men

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• I think that I am better than the people who are trying to reform me.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Thinking, People, Trying

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• Every man bears something within him that, if it were publicly announced, would excite feelings of aversion.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Men, Feelings, Guilt

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• The right man is the one who seizes the moment.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Leadership, Courage, Inspiration

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• None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Wisdom, Powerful, Freedom

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1853). “Goethe's Opinions on the World, Mankind, Literature, Science, and Art”, p.3

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• There is nothing new on earth / For a person who lives long and experiences much. / In my years of youthful wandering / I have seen crystallized people.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Years, Long, People

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• Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward; they may be beaten, but they may start a winning game.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Motivational, Courage, Clever

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• One never goes further than when they do not know where they are going.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Knows

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• There is nothing in which people more betray their character than in what they laugh at.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Inspirational, Laughter, Character

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2016). “Elective Affinities”, p.142, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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• Freedom consists not in refusing to recognize anything above us, but in respecting something which is above us; for by respecting it, we raise ourselves to it, and, by our very acknowledgment, prove that we bear within ourselves what is higher, and are worthy to be on a level with it.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Freedom, Levels, Bears

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1935). “Conversations with Goethe”

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• Who is the happiest man? He who is alive to the merit of others, and can rejoice in their enjoyment as if it were his own.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Inspirational, Happiness, Men

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• As long as you are not aware of the continual law of Die and Be Again, you are merely a vague guest on a dark Earth.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Death, Dark, Law

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• Certain flaws are necessary for the whole. It would seem strange if old friends lacked certain quirks.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Friendship, Old Friends, Strange

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• To tremble before anticipated evils is to bemoan what thou hast never lost.

  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  Evil, Anticipation, Lost

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