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 It is as certain as it is strange that truth and error come from one and the same source. Thus it is that we are often not at liberty to do violence to error, because at the same time we do violence to truth. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe errors liberty truth A man avails himself of the truth so long as it is serviceable; but he seizes on what is false with a passionate eloquence as soon as he can make a momentary use of it. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe truth men long Vanity is a desire of personal glory, the wish to be appreciated, honoured, and run after, not because of one's personal qualities, merits, and achievements, but because of one's individual existence. At best, therefore, it is a frivolous beauty whim it befits. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe personal-qualities vanity running The written word has this advantage, that it lasts and can await the time when it is allowed to take effect. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe written-word advantage lasts If the word is not dead when it reaches the hearer, he murders it at once by a contradiction, a stipulation, a condition, a digression, an interruption, and all the thousand tricks of conversation. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe contradiction murder conversation We find from experience that yellow excites a warm and agreeable impression.... The eye is gladdened, the heart expanded and cheered, a glow seems at once to breathe toward us. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe eye heart yellow You are certainly wrong to compare suicide ... with great accomplishments, since it cannot be considered as anything but a weakness. After all, it is easier to die than to endure a harrowing life with fortitude. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe weakness accomplishment suicide Superstition is a part of the very being of humanity; and when we fancy that we are banishing it altogether, it takes refuge in the strangest nooks and corners, and then suddenly comes forth again, as soon as it believes itself at all safe. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe fancy humanity believe The world of reason is to be regarded as a great and immortal being, who ceaselessly works out what is necessary, and so makes himself lord also over what is accidental. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe work-out lord world It is a very hard and troublesome thing to dispose of whole, half, and quarter-mistakes; to sift them and assign the portion of truth to its proper place. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quarters half mistake The style of writing required in the great world is distinguished by a free and daring grace, a careless security, a fine and sharp polish, a delicate and perfect taste; while that fitted for the people is characterized by a vigorous natural fulness, a profound depth of feeling, and an engaging naivete. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe perfect writing profound The angles even Johann Wolfgang von Goethe gazing sun may Superstition is part of the poetry of life. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe superstitions Superstition is the poesy of practical life; hence, a poet is none the worse for being superstitious. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe practicals superstitions poet Superstition is the poetry of life. It is inherent in man's nature; and when we think it is wholly eradicated, it takes refuge in the strangest holes and corners, whence it peeps out all at once, as soon as it can do it with safety. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe safety men thinking Go to the place where the thing you wish to know is native; your best teacher is there. Where the thing you wish to know is so dominant that you must breathe its very atmosphere, there teaching is moat thorough, and learning is most easy. You acquire a language most readily in the country where it is spoken; you study mineralogy boat among miners; and so with everything else. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe teaching teacher country At the end of life thoughts hitherto impossible come to the collected mind, like good spirits which let themselves down from the shining heights of the past. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe shining mind past Who can think wise or stupid things at all that were not thought already in the past. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe stupid wise thinking My inheritance how lordly wide and fair; Johann Wolfgang von Goethe heirs inheritance time The present is a powerful deity. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe deities powerful today
