Every idea appears at first as a strange visitor, and when it begins to be realized, it is hardly distinguishable from fantasy. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe More Quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe More Quotes From Johann Wolfgang von Goethe We accept every person in the world as that for which he gives himself out, only he must give himself out for something. We can put up with the unpleasant more easily than we can endure the insignificant. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe accepting giving world To appear at church every Sunday; to look down upon, and let himself be looked at for an hour by the congregation, is the best means of becoming popular which can be recommended to a young sovereign. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe sunday church mean A man would create another man if one did not already exist, but a woman might live an eternity without even thinking of reproducing her own sex. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe relationship men sex As soon as any one belongs to a narrow creed in science, every unprejudiced and true perception is gone. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe perception gone science Who strives always to the utmost, him can we save. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe strife strive He is a man whom it is impossible to please, because he is never pleased with himself. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe please impossible men All theory, my friend, is grey, But green is life's glad golden tree. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe golden green tree One says a lot in vain, refusing; The other mainly hears the "No." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe vain Each traveler should know what he has to see, and what properly belongs to him, on a journey. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe journey should travel There is nothing more frightful than for a teacher to know only what his scholars are intended to know. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe scholar teaching teacher Let there be truth between us. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe truth-is truth Thank God when he oppresses you, and again when he releases you. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe release thankfulness thank-god One's roused by this, another finds that fit: Each loves the play for what he brings to it. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe fit theater play Hypotheses are only the pieces of scaffolding which are erected round a building during the course of construction, and which are taken away as soon as the edifice is completed. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe construction pieces taken After fifteen minutes nobody looks at a rainbow. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe rainbow fifteen looks Do thine own task, and be therewith content. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe tasks work All professional men are handicapped by not being allowed to ignore things which are useless. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe handicapped useless men Every great idea exerts, on first appearing, a tyrannical influence: Hence, the advantages it brings are turned all too soon into disadvantages. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe influence ideas firsts No one knows what he is doing so long as he is acting rightly; but of what is wrong one is always conscious. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe acting conscious long Everything perfect in its kind has to transcend its own kind, it must become something different and incomparable. In some notes the nightingale is still a bird; then it rises above its class and seems to suggest to every winged creature what singing is truly like. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe perfect class bird