Quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings.

 

Love does not dominate; it cultivates.

 

Correction does much, but encouragement does more.

 

There is nothing insignificant in the world. It all depends on the point of view.

 

In the realm of ideas everything depends on enthusiasm... in the real world all rests on perseverance.

 

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

 

If your treat an individual... as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be.

 

Do not give in too much to feelings. A overly sensitive heart is an unhappy possession on this shaky earth.

 

Beauty is everywhere a welcome guest.

 

If you wish to know the mind of a man, listen to his words.

 

He only earns his freedom and his life Who takes them every day by storm.

 

The way you see people is the way you treat them, and the way you treat them is what they become.

 

Nothing is more terrible than to see ignorance in action

 

In nature we never see anything isolated, but everything in connection with something else which is before it, beside it, under it and over it.

 

Nothing is worth more than this day.

 

Behavior is the mirror in which everyone shows their image.

 

There is a courtesy of the heart; it is allied to love. From its springs the purest courtesy in the outward behavior

 

There is nothing in the world more shameful than establishing one's self on lies and fables.

 

Everybody wants to be somebody; nobody wants to grow.

 

Happiness is a ball after which we run wherever it rolls, and we push it with our feet when it stops.

 

Plunge boldly into the thick of life, and seize it where you will, it is always interesting.

 

Plunge boldly into the thick of life, and seize it where you will, it is always interesting.

 

The man with insight enough to admit his limitations comes nearest to perfection.

 

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

 

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

 

A person hears only what they understand.

 

Nature knows no pause in progress and development, and attaches her curse on all inaction.

 

Be generous with kindly words, especially about those who are absent.

 

Hatred is something peculiar. You will always find it strongest and most violent where there is the lowest degree of culture.

 

Error is acceptable as long as we are young; but one must not drag it along into old age.

 

If God had wanted me otherwise, He would have created me otherwise.

 

Common sense is the genius of humanity.

 

It seems to never occur to fools that merit and good fortune are closely united.

 

It is not doing the thing we like to do, but liking the thing we have to do, that makes life blessed.

 

Love can do much, but duty more.

 

The formation of one's character ought to be everyone's chief aim.

 

It is better to be deceived by one's friends than to deceive them.

 

The human mind will not be confined to any limits.

 

Every step of life shows much caution is required.

 

Nothing shows a man's character more than what he laughs at.

 

Who is the most sensible person? The one who finds what is to their own advantage in all that happens to them.

 

Let everyone sweep in front of his own door, and the whole world will be clean.

 

Devote each day to the object then in time and every evening will find something done.

 

He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.

 

The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone.