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Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

87 quotes

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) was a German writer, poet, and polymath widely regarded as the greatest figure in German literature. His masterwork *Faust* is one of the most important works of European literature. Goethe's influence extended beyond writing into science, philosophy, and visual arts.

“A really great talent finds its happiness in execution.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Great

All Quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Love

“Trust yourself, then you will know how to live.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Trust

“Self-knowledge comes from knowing other men.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Men

“Those who hope for no other life are dead even for this.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Hope

“Only by joy and sorrow does a person know anything about themselves and their destiny. They learn what to do and what to avoid.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Sympathy

“The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Alone

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

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Home

“The credit of advancing science has always been due to individuals and never to the age.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Age

“Love can do much, but duty more.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Love

“Wisdom is found only in truth.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Truth

“Superstition is the poetry of life.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Poetry

“Age merely shows what children we remain.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Age

“I do not know myself, and God forbid that I should.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

God

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

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Great

“A really great talent finds its happiness in execution.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Great

“The artist alone sees spirits. But after he has told of their appearing to him, everybody sees them.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Alone

“Nothing is more fearful than imagination without taste.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Imagination

“Character, in great and little things, means carrying through what you feel able to do.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Great

“An unused life is an early death.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Death

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

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Life