I never believed in trying to do anything. Whatever I set out to do I found I had already accomplished. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe More Quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe More Quotes From Johann Wolfgang von Goethe The day is committed to error and floundering; success and achievement are matters of long range. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe errors success long A teacher who can arouse a feeling for one single good action, for one single good poem, accomplishes more than he who fills our memory with rows and rows of natural objects, classified with name and form. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wisdom teacher memories Who is the happiest man? He who is alive to the merit of others, and can rejoice in their enjoyment as if it were his own. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe happiness inspirational men Each ten years of a man's life has its own fortunes, its own hopes, its own desires. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe birthday men years They teach in academies far too many things, and far too much that is useless. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe useless teaching education Democracy does not race, it reaches the finish slowly but surely. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe democracy freedom race Merely to breathe freely does not mean to live. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe freedom doe mean One should not wish anyone disagreeable conditions of life; but for him who is involved in them by chance, they are touchstones of characters and of the most decisive value to man. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe happiness character men How can we learn self-knowledge? Never by taking thought but rather by action. Try to do your duty and you'll soon discover what you're like. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe self trying happiness The most congenial social occasions are those ruled by cheerful deference of each for all. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe cheerful social happiness Whatever is the object of a saint's hope is the subject of his prayer. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe saint prayer hope We always hope, and in all things it is better to hope than to despair. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe despair all-things hope Yet here I stand poor fool what more, not one wit wiser than before. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe intelligence fool poor What we do not understand we do not possess. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe learning wisdom education The fine emotions whence our lives we mold Johann Wolfgang von Goethe dumb life lying My worthy friend, gray are all theories Johann Wolfgang von Goethe golden tree life Sing it not in mournful numbers. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe numbers life It is one of Heaven's best gifts to hold such a dear creature in one's arms. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe arms life heaven The effects of good music are not just because it's new; on the contrary music strikes us more the more familiar we are with it. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe familiar strikes music There is no trifling with nature; it is always true, grave, and severe; it is always in the light, and the faults and errors fall to our share. It defies incompetency, but reveals its secrets to the competent, the truthful, and the pure. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe errors nature fall