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 I am very anxious to please the public, particularly as it lives and lets live. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe please anxious There are three classes of readers; some enjoy without judgment; others judge without enjoyment; and some there are who judge while they enjoy, and enjoy while they judge. The latter class reproduces the work of art on which it is engaged. Its numbers are very small. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe reading class art Religion is not in want of art; it rests on its own majesty. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe want art religion True religion teaches us to reverence what is under us, to recognize humility and poverty, and, despite mockery and disgrace, wretchedness, suffering, and death, as things divine. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe suffering-and-death humility religion For a strolling damsel a doubtful reputation bears. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe strolling reputation bears To the man of thought almost nothing is really ridiculous. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ridiculous he-man men The rogue has everywhere the advantage. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe advantage rogues To be active is the primary vocation of man. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe vocation action men Beauty vanishes; virtue is lasting. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe lasting virtue beauty It is impossible that beauty should ever distinctly appreciate itself. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe appreciate impossible beauty Properly speaking, we learn from those books only that we cannot judge. The author of a book that I am competent to criticise would have to learn from me. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe competent judging book In society every man is taken for what he gives himself out to be; but he must give himself out to be something. Better to be slightly disagreeable than altogether insignificant. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe taken character men I can promise to be upright, but not to be without bias. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe bias character promise Talent is nurtured in solitude; character is formed in the stormy billows of the world. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe solitude character world What a mighty spirit in a narrow bosom. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe bosoms spirit character He who would reproach an author for obscurity should look into his own mind to see whether it is quite clear there. In the dusk the plainest writing is illegible. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe obscurity mind writing And future deeds crowded round us as the countless stars in the night. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe stars deeds night The Evil One has left, the evil ones remain. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe dens dies evil Man, be he who he may, experiences a last piece of good fortune and a last day. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe fate pieces men Of all thieves, fools are the worst; they rob you of time and temper. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe temper thieves fool
