Portrait of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Faust, German literature

Early Modern influential 95 sayings

Sayings by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Error is a part of the human, but lies are a disease of the will.

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

The best government is that which teaches us to govern ourselves.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Educational Unverifiable

One ought to be something in order to be able to do something.

1833 (posthumous) — Maxims and Reflections
Wisdom Unverifiable

Nothing is more terrible than ignorance in action.

1833 — From 'Maxims and Reflections'
Wisdom Unverifiable

The human mind will not be confined to any limits.

1774 — From 'The Sorrows of Young Werther'
Wisdom Unverifiable

He who possesses art and science has religion; he who does not possess them, needs religion.

1821 — From 'Wilhelm Meister's Journeyman Years'
Educational Unverifiable

If you treat an individual as he is, he will remain as he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be.

1809 — From 'Elective Affinities'
Wisdom Unverifiable

A man can stand anything except a succession of ordinary days.

1796 — From 'Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship'
Inspirational Unverifiable

The coward only threatens when he is safe.

1790 — From 'Torquato Tasso'
Wisdom Unverifiable

The greatest evil that can befall man is that he should come to think ill of himself.

1796 — From 'Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship'
Life & Death Unverifiable

Doubt grows with knowledge.

1833 — From 'Maxims and Reflections'
Educational Confirmed

He who cannot give an account of three thousand years is lost in the darkness of inexperience.

1819 — West-Eastern Divan, Book of the Saki
General Unverifiable

Correction does much, but encouragement does more.

1825 — Conversations with Eckermann, May 12, 1825
General Unverifiable

Every man has enough strength to endure the misfortunes of others.

1833 — Maxims and Reflections, 36
General Unverifiable

Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one's thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world.

1833 — Maxims and Reflections, 57
General Unverifiable

The man who is born with a talent which he is meant to use finds his greatest felicity in using it.

1809 — Elective Affinities, Part I, Chapter 1
General Unverifiable

Character develops itself in the stream of life.

1828 — Conversations with Eckermann, October 23, 1828
General Unverifiable

The human race is a monotonous affair.

1829 — Conversations with Eckermann, February 18, 1829
Social & Racial Unverifiable

Man is made to suffer. He is not a god, but a worm.

1808 — Faust, Part I, 'Night'
General Unverifiable

Talent develops in solitude, character in the stream of life.

1833 — Maxims and Reflections, 126
General Unverifiable
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