All that is alive tends toward color, individuality, specificity, effectiveness and opacity. All that is done with life inclines toward knowledge, abstraction, generality transfiguration and transparency. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe More Quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe More Quotes From Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Our destiny often looks like a fruit-tree in winter. Who would think from its pitiable aspect that those rigid boughs, those rough twigs could next spring again be green, bloom, and even bear fruit? Yet we hope it, we know it. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe winterspringthinking No doubt you are right... there would be far less suffering amongst mankind if men... did not employ their imaginations so assiduously in recalling the memory of past sorrow, instead of bearing their present lot with equanimity. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe menmemoriespast Nothing is worse than active ignorance. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe diversityignorancejustice To have more, you must first be more. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe militaryfirsts If a good person does you wrong, act as though you had not noticed it. If we practice and eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, soon the wholeworld will be blind and toothless. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe forgivenesseyepractice Progress has not followed a straight ascending line, but a spiral with rhythms of progress and retrogression, of evolution and dissolution. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe progresslinesgrowth Ignorant men raise questions that wise men answered a thousand years ago. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe live-lifewisemen If nature is your teacher, your soul will awaken. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe your-soulsoulteacher No two men see the world exactly alike, and different temperaments will apply in different ways a principle that they both acknowledge. The same man will, indeed, often see and judge the same things differently on different occasions: early convictions must give way to more mature ones. Nevertheless, may not the opinions that a man holds and expresses withstand all trials, if he only remains true to himself and others? Johann Wolfgang von Goethe givingmentwo He who possesses art and science has religion; he who does not possess them, needs religion. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe scienceartreligion Man is made by his belief. As he believes, so he is. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe yogaself-esteembelieve What is my life if I am no longer useful to others. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe literatureifslife Only law can give us freedom. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe freedomlawgiving A man who cannot command himself will always be a slave. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe commandslavemen One is never deceived; one deceives oneself. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe oneselfdeceiveddeceiving Be generous with kindly words, especially about those who are absent. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe generosityabsencegiving To the person with a firm purpose all men and things are servants. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe purposeliteraturemen The main thing is to have a soul that loves the truth and harbours it where he finds it. And another thing: truth requires constant repetition, because error is being preached about us all the time, and not only by isolated individuals but by the masses. In the newspapers and encyclopedias, in schools and universities, everywhere error rides high and basks in the consciousness of having the majority on its side. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe trutheducationschool You don't have to travel around the world to understand that the sky is blue everywhere Johann Wolfgang von Goethe skyblueworld Humor is one of the elements of genius--admirable as an adjunct; but as soon as it becomes dominant, only a surrogate for genius. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe elementsgeniushumor
