One cannot develop taste from what is of average quality but only from the very best. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe More Quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe More Quotes From Johann Wolfgang von Goethe What then is your duty? What the day demands. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe demand obligation duty I don't know a greater advantage, than to appreciate the worth of an enemy. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe appreciate war enemy Whoso is content with pure experience and acts upon it has enough of truth. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe pure experience enough Since you know me and my destiny only too well, you probably also know what attracts me to all unfortunate people. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wells destiny people We amuse ourselves painting our prison-walls with bright figures and brilliant landscapes. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe landscape brilliant wall A state of affairs which leads to daily vexation is not the right state. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe vexation happiness life Zweck sein selbst ist jegliches Tier. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe evolution ends animal The decline in literature indicates a decline in the nation. The two keep pace in their downward tendency. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe creativity pace two The history of mankind is his character. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe historical character history Our passions are true phoenixes; as the old burn out the new straight rise up from the ashes. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe phoenix ashes passion No wise combatant underestimates their antagonist. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe underestimate competition wise Men are joined by conviction, sundered by opinion. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe campaigns political men The man who masters himself is delivered from the force that binds all creatures. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe he-man masters men When an idea is wanting, a word can always be found to take its place. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ignorance found ideas Mannerism is always longing to have done, and has no true enjoyment in work. A genuine, really great talent, on the other hand, has its greatest happiness in execution. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe execution style hands Woman is mistress of the art of completely imbittering the life of the person on whom she depends. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe mistress women art Several classical sayings that one likes to repeat had quite a different meaning from the ones later times attributed to them. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe repeats likes different How marvelous, wide and broad is my Inheritance! Time is my property, my estate is time. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe inheritance broads time The confidant of my vices is my master, though he were my valet. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe valet vices masters I have never looked at foreign countries or gone there but with the purpose of getting to know the general human qualities that are spread all over the earth in very different forms, and then to find these qualities again in my own country and to recognize and to further them. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quality country travel