No man learns to know his inmost nature by introspection, for he rates himself sometimes too low, and often too high, by his own measurement. Man knows himself only by comparing himself with other men; it is life that touches his genuine worth. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe More Quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe More Quotes From Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Nature is beneficent. I praise her and all her works. She is silent and wise. She is cunning, but for good ends. She has brought me here and will also lead me away. She may scold me, but she will not hate her work. I trust her. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe hate nature wise If I love you, what business is it of yours? Johann Wolfgang von Goethe funny-relationship love life Age merely shows what children we remain. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe literature age children One can't dull a project better than by discussing it repeatedly. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe discussing projects dull The errors of the observer come from the qualities of the human mind. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quality errors mind Money lost, something lost. Honor lost, much lost. Courage lost, everything lost-better you were never born Johann Wolfgang von Goethe lost-everything honor courage One of the most striking signs of the decay of art is the intermixing of different genres. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe decay different art It is opposition that makes us productive. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe productive opposition What is fruitful alone is true. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe For I have been a man, and that means to have been a fighter. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe fighter men mean It is the nature of grace always to fill spaces that have been empty. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe empty space grace True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe judging giving art Idea and experience will never coincide in the center; only through art and action are they united. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe experience ideas art The one who acts is always without conscience; nobody has a conscience but the contemplative person. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe contemplative contemplation action Whatever liberates our spirit, without also giving us mastery over ourselves, is destructive. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe mastery freedom giving We who didn't inherit political power nor are made to acquire riches like nothing better than that which expands and solidifies the power of the spirit. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe riches political spirit The one who always strives, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe strife strive salvation What is part of you, you cannot get rid of, even if you were to throw it away. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe human-nature ifs Stones are mute teachers; they silence the observer, and the most valuable lesson we learn from them we cannot communicate. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe lessons silence teacher Words are mere sound and smoke, dimming the heavenly light. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe heavenly light sound