Portrait of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Faust, German literature

Early Modern influential 95 sayings

Sayings by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Against the great superiority of another, there is no rescue but love.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Love & Relationships Unverifiable

One must be a complete person to be able to love another completely.

1809 — Elective Affinities
Love & Relationships Unverifiable

Man is made to believe, and to be deceived.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Inspirational Unverifiable

The true man of science is he who gives importance to the little, because he sees the greatness of the great in it.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Educational Unverifiable

Only those who know how to suffer can understand everything.

1774 — The Sorrows of Young Werther
Life & Death Unverifiable

Every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and, if possible, speak a few sensible words.

1795 — Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship
Inspirational Unverifiable

What is not started today is never finished tomorrow.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Wisdom Unverifiable

The world is so empty if one thinks only of mountains, rivers, and cities; but to know someone who thinks and feels with us, and who, though distant, is close to us in spirit, this makes the earth an inhabited garden.

1774 — The Sorrows of Young Werther
Nature & World Unverifiable

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.

1808 — Faust, Part One
Wisdom Unverifiable

The greatest respect an author can have for his readers is to give them the best he has.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Wisdom Unverifiable

We are shaped and fashioned by what we love.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Love & Relationships Unverifiable

Character is formed in the stormy waves of the world.

1790 — Torquato Tasso
Wisdom Unverifiable

The decline of literature indicates the decline of a nation.

1827 — Conversations with Eckermann
Wisdom Confirmed

What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Inspirational Unverifiable

One never goes so far as when one does not know where one is going.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Wisdom Unverifiable

Man is not born to solve the problems of the universe, but to find out what he has to do in order to limit himself to the limits of his comprehension.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Wisdom Unverifiable

The beautiful is a manifestation of secret laws of nature, which, but for this appearance, would have remained hidden from us.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Nature & World Unverifiable

Every artist is a king.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

The highest happiness of man is to have found out what he is to do, and to do it.

1795 — Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship
Wisdom Unverifiable

Life belongs to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for changes.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Wisdom Unverifiable
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