Portrait of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Faust, German literature

Early Modern influential 95 sayings

Sayings by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I can promise to be sincere, but not to be impartial.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Wisdom Unverifiable

A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.

1828 — Conversations with Eckermann
Biblical Unverifiable

One ought every day at least to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and, if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words.

1795 — Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship
Inspirational Unverifiable

The human race is a monotonous affair. What one does, the other does, and what one suffers, the other suffers.

1774 — The Sorrows of Young Werther
Life & Death Unverifiable

The hardest thing to see is what is in front of your eyes.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Wisdom Unverifiable

Architecture is frozen music.

1829 — Conversations with Eckermann
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

He who cannot give an account of three thousand years of history remains in darkness, inexperienced, and lives from day to day.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Educational Unverifiable

A man's manners are a mirror in which he shows his portrait.

1809 — Elective Affinities
Wisdom Unverifiable

To be clever enough to get all that money, one must be stupid enough to want it.

1832 — Faust, Part Two
Money & Business Unverifiable

Nothing is more terrible than active ignorance.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Wisdom Unverifiable

As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.

1808 — Faust, Part One
Wisdom Unverifiable

The greatest evil is not now, but the day after tomorrow.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Life & Death Unverifiable

What is important in life is life, and not the result of life.

1808 — Faust, Part One
Wisdom Unverifiable

Talent develops in tranquility, character in the full current of human life.

1790 — Torquato Tasso
Wisdom Unverifiable

Behavior is a mirror in which everyone displays his own image.

1809 — Elective Affinities
Wisdom Confirmed

To see the world in a grain of sand, and heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour.

N/A (Misattribution) — Attributed, often confused with William Blake, but a common misattribution. Goethe's actual quote on…
Biblical Unverifiable

The soul which sees beauty may sometimes walk alone.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Biblical Confirmed

Magic is believing in yourself. If you can do that, you can make anything happen.

N/A (Attribution questionable) — Attributed, but no direct source in his published works.
Wisdom Confirmed

Divide and rule, a sound motto; unite and lead, a better one.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Power & Leadership Confirmed

Joy and sorrow are the two sides of the same coin.

1808 — Faust, Part One
Wisdom Unverifiable
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