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 Say what we may of the inadequacy of translation, yet the work is and will always be one of the weightiest and worthiest undertakings in the general concerns of the world. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe concern may world Mystery is truth's dancing partner. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe partners mystery dancing Our earthly ball a peopled garden. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe balls garden One does not get to know that one exists until one rediscovers oneself in others. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe oneself knows doe It is with art as with love: How can a man of the world,with all his distractions, keep the inwardness which an artist must possess if he hopes to attain perfection? That inwardness which the spectator must share if he is to understand the work as the artist wishes and hopes... Believe me, talents are like virtues; either you must love them for their own sake or renounce them altogether. And they are only recognized and rewarded when we have practised them in secret, like a dangerous mystery." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe men believe art What you have inherited from your fathers, earn over again for yourselves, or it will not be yours. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe inheritance father The world is for thousands a freak show; the images flicker past and vanish; the impressions remain flat and unconnected in the soul. Thus they are easily led by the opinions of others, are content to let their impressions be shuffled and rearranged and evaluated differently. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe media soul past What we don't understand we don't possess. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe clarity communicate Whoever makes it a rule to test action by thought, thought by action, cannot falter, and if he does, will soon find his way back to the right road. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe tests doe way Noble be man, helpful and good! Johann Wolfgang von Goethe luxury noble men Every decided colour does a certain violence to the eye, and forces the organ to opposition. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe light eye doe Beautiful is greater than Good, for it includes the Good. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe greater beautiful beauty It is the color closest to light. In its utmost purity it always implies the nature of brightness and has a cheerful, serene, gently stimulating character. Hence, experience teaches us that yellow makes a thoroughly warm and comforting impression. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe color light character Even dirt glitters when the sun is shining upon it Johann Wolfgang von Goethe glitter shining inspiration Lay hold of life with both hands, whenever thou mayest seize it, it is interesting. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe inspirational hands interesting Men's prejudices rest upon their character for the time being and cannot be overcome, as being part and parcel of themselves. Neither evidence nor common sense nor reason has the slightest influence upon them. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe common-sense character men A purpose you impart is no longer your own. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe impart purpose Art is in itself noble; that is why the artist has no fear of what is common. This, indeed, is already ennobled when he takes it up. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe noble common art A mathematician is only perfect insofar as he is a perfect man, sensitive to the beauty of truth. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe sensitive perfect men All poetry is supposed to be instructive but in an unnoticeable manner; it is supposed to make us aware of what it would be valuable to instruct ourselves in; we must deduce the lesson on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe valuable lessons would-be