A flippant, frivolous man may ridicule others, may controvert them, scorn them; but he who has any respect for himself seems to have renounced the right of thinking meanly of others. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe More Quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe More Quotes From Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Personality is everything in art and poetry. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe artistpersonalityart I can promise to be sincere, but I cannot promise to be impartial. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe sincerehistorypromise To be loved for what one is, that is the greatest exception. The great majority love in others only what they lend him; their own selves, their version of him. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe majorityselflove Don't dissipate your powers; strive to concentrate them. Genius thinks it can do whatever it sees others doing, but it will surely repent of every ill-judged outlay. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe focuspowerthinking As man is, so is his God. And thus is God oft strangely odd. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe oddgodmen Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward; they may be beaten, but they may start a winning game. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe courageclevermotivational Wine rejoices the heart of man and joy is the mother of all virtues. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe winemotherheart Everything is simpler than you think and at the same time more complex than you imagine Johann Wolfgang von Goethe imaginetimethinking Whenever I hear people talking about liberal ideas, I am always astounded that men should love to fool themselves with empty sounds. An idea should never be liberal; it must be vigorous, positive, and without loose ends so that it may fulfill its divine mission and be productive. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe talkinglovemen Is it life, I ask, is it even prudence, To bore thyself and bore the students? Johann Wolfgang von Goethe prudencestudentseducation Sceptics are yet the most credulous. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe scepticskepticism Moral epochs have their course as well as the seasons. We can no more hold them fast than we can hold sun, moon, and stars. Our faults perpetually return upon us; and herein lies the subtlest difficulty of self-knowledge. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe starsmoonlying Chess is the touchstone of intellect. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe touchstonesintellectchess I will be lord over myself. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe lord None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe freedompowerfulwisdom Letters are among the most significant memorial a person can leave behind them. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe memorialliteratureletters To understand one thing well is better than understanding many things by halves. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wellsunderstandinghalf We are pantheists when we study nature, polytheists when we write poetry, monotheists in our morality. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe moralityreligiouswriting Every second is of infinite value. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe infinitehelpingtime The older I get the more I trust in the law according to which the rose and the lily bloom. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe naturelawrose
