Everything which is properly business we must keep carefully separate from life. Business requires earnestness and method; life must have a freed handling. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe More Quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe More Quotes From Johann Wolfgang von Goethe It is in vain that a man of sound mind and cool temper understands the condition of such a wretched being... He can no more communicate his own wisdom to him than a healthy man can instil his strength into the invalid by whose bedside he is seated. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe healthy mind men How many kings are governed by their ministers, how many ministers by their secretaries? Who, in such cases, is really the chief? Johann Wolfgang von Goethe chiefs cases kings In happy ignorance, I sighed for a world I did not know, where I hoped to find every pleasure and enjoyment which my heart could desire; and now, on my return from that wide world... how many disappointed hopes and unsuccessful plans have I brought back! Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ignorance desire heart What a torment it is to see so much loveliness passing and repassing before us, and yet not dare to lay hold of it! Johann Wolfgang von Goethe torment passing dare Is this the destiny of man? Is he only happy before he has acquired his reason or after he has lost it? Johann Wolfgang von Goethe destiny reason men I've often heard it said a preacher might learn with a comedian for a teacher. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe comedian might teacher Man is not born to solve the problem of the universe, but to find out what he has to do; and to restrain himself within the limits of his comprehension. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe limits men science Does not man lack the force at the very point where he needs it most? And when he soars upward in joy, or sinks down in suffering, is not checked in both, is he not returned again to the dull, cold sphere of awareness, just when he was longing to lose himself in the fullness of the infinite. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe suffering joy men There is repetition everywhere, and nothing is found only once in the world. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe simplicity found world What a man does not understand, he does not possess. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe doe men knowledge The history of knowledge is a great fugue in which the voices of the nations one after the other emerge. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe fugue voice knowledge With the growth of knowledge our ideas must from time to time be organized afresh. The change takes place usually in accordance with new maxims as they arise, but it always remains provisional. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe growth ideas knowledge The greatest piece of folly is that every man thinks himself compelled to hand down what people think they have known. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe men knowledge thinking At all times it has not been the age, but individuals alone, who have worked for knowledge. It was the age which put Socrates to death by poison, the age which burnt Huss. The ages have always remained alike. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe poison age knowledge Nature has neither kernel Nor shell Johann Wolfgang von Goethe kernel shells statistics It has been said that figures rule the world. Maybe. But I am sure that figures show us whether it is being ruled well or badly. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe statistics math world The thinker makes a great mistake when he asks after cause and effect. They both together make up the indivisible phenomenon. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe mistake philosophy art A talent can be cultivated in tranquility; a character only in the rushing stream of life. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe rushing talent character How fair doth Nature Johann Wolfgang von Goethe yield voice joy The bed of flowers Johann Wolfgang von Goethe glowing flower spring
