Top 25 Quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe of 1748 - Page 32

There are but few who have ideas and are, at the same time, capable of action. Ideas enlarge but stymie, action enlivens but confines.

There are but few who have ideas and are, at the same time, capable of action. Ideas enlarge but stymie, action enlivens but confines.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Ideas, Action, Capable

Mysterious in the light of day, nature retains her veil, despite our clamours: That which she does not willingly display cannot be wrenched from her with levers, screws and hammers.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Light, Doe, Hammers

Love and desire are the spirit's wings to great deeds.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Love, Inspirational, Life

"Iphigenia in Tauris". Play by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, April 6, 1779.

There is no outward sign of true courtesy that does not rest on a deep moral foundation.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Foundation, Doe, Moral

Science arose from poetry... when times change the two can meet again on a higher level as friends.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Change, Two, Design

I have never looked at foreign countries or gone there but with the purpose of getting to know the general human qualities that are spread all over the earth in very different forms, and then to find these qualities again in my own country and to recognize and to further them.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Country, Travel, Quality

Mediocrity has no greater consolation than in the thought that genius is not immortal.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Knowledge, Genius, Mediocrity

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1868). “Novels and Tales by Goethe”, p.153

The world is so full of simpletons and madmen, that one need not seek them in a madhouse.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Stupidity, Needs, World

Conversations with Goethe Johann Peter Eckermann 17 March (1830).

My counsel is, to force nothing, and rather to trifle and sleep away all unproductive days and hours, than on such days to compose something that will afterwards give no pleasure.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Writing, Sleep, Giving

The work of art may have a moral effect, but to demand moral purpose from the artist is to make him ruin his work.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Art, Philosophy, History

The use of a thing is only a part of its significance. To know anything thoroughly, to have the full command of it in all its appliances, we must study it on its own account, independently of any special application.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Special, Use, Study

The man who masters himself is delivered from the force that binds all creatures.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Men, He Man, Masters

Keep not standing fixed and rooted. Briskly venture, briskly roam.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Inspirational, Venture, Fixed

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1882). “Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship and Travels: From the German...”

Great thoughts and a pure heart, that is what we should ask from God.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Heart, Literature, Should

Any trifle is enough to entertain two lovers.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Love, Two, Enough

The artist who is not also a craftsman is no good; but, alas, most of our artists are nothing else.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Artist, Artistic, Craftsman

The rogue has everywhere the advantage.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Rogues, Advantage

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1850). “Dramatic works: Comprising Faust, Iphigenia in Tauris, Torquato Tasso, Egmont. Transl. by Anna Swanwick. And Goetz v. Berlichingen. Transl. by Sir Walter Scott. Carefully rev”, p.364

The real scholar learns how to evolve the unknown from the known, and draws near the master.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Real, Knowledge, Masters

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2015). “Maxims and Reflections”, p.118, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Art is based on a strong sentiment of religion,--on a profound and mighty earnestness; hence it is so prone to co-operate with religion.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Art, Strong, Profound

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1853). “Goethe's Opinions on the World, Mankind, Literature, Science, and Art”, p.76

It is a great pleasure to transport one's-self into the spirit of the times; to see how a wise man has thought before us, and to what a glorious height we have at last carried it.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Inspirational, Wise, Past

"Faust: A Dramatic Poem".

Those that are firm in their will mold the world to themselves.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Mold, World, Willpower

There is repetition everywhere, and nothing is found only once in the world.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Simplicity, World, Found

Shakespeare is a great psychologist, and whatever can be known of the heart of man may be found in his plays.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Heart, Men, Play

Who longs in solitude to live, Ah! soon his wish will gain: Men hope and love, men get and give, and leave him to his pain.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Love, Hope, Pain

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2013). “Delphi Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Illustrated)”, p.233, Delphi Classics

And I have again observed, my dear friend, in this trifling affair, that misunderstandings and neglect occasion more mischief in the world than even malice and wickedness. At all events, the two latter are of less frequent occurrence.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Two, Events, Wickedness

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (2016). “THE SORROWS OF YOUNG WERTHER (Literary Classics Series): Historical Romance Novel”, p.3, e-artnow