What a man does not understand, he does not possess. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe More Quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe More Quotes From Johann Wolfgang von Goethe And I have again observed, my dear friend, in this trifling affair, that misunderstandings and neglect occasion more mischief in the world than even malice and wickedness. At all events, the two latter are of less frequent occurrence. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wickednesseventstwo One can stand anything except a succession of ordinary days Johann Wolfgang von Goethe successionordinary-daysordinary Say what you will of fortitude, but show me the man who can patiently endure the laughter of fools when they have obtained an advantage over him. 'Tis only when their nonsense is without foundation that one can suffer it without complaint. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe laughtersufferingmen if only these treasures were not so fragile as they are precious and beautiful. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe fragiletreasurebeautiful If we could do away with death, we wouldn't object; to do away with capital punishment will be more difficult. Were that to happen, we would reinstate it from time to time. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe punishmentdifficulthappens Our wishes are presentiments of the abilities that lie in us, harbingers of what we will be able to accomplish. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ablewishlying And those whom once my song had cheered and gladdened, If still they live, rove through the world now saddened. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe saddenedsongworld Superstition is rooted in a much deeper and more sensitive layer of the psyche than skepticism. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe layerssensitivesuperstitions The arts are the salt of the earth; as salt relates to food, the arts relate to technology. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe technologyscienceart The old lose one of the greatest privileges of man, for they are no longer judged by their contemporaries. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe losesprivilegemen All perishable is but an allegory. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe allegory Mathematics has the completely false reputation of yielding infallible conclusions. Its infallibility is nothing but identity. Two times two is not four, but it is just two times two, and that is what we call four for short. But four is nothing new at all. And thus it goes on and on in its conclusions, except that in the higher formulas the identity fades out of sight. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe sightmathtwo I hate everything that merely instructs me without augmenting or directly invigorating my activity. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe activityhateeducation Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe motivationalinspirationalfriendship The thought of death leaves me in perfect peace, for I have a firm conviction that our spirit is a being of indestructible nature; it works on from eternity to eternity, it is like the sun, which though it seems to set to our mortal eyes, does not really set, but shines on perpetually. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe shine-oneyespiritual Hatred is something peculiar. You will always find it strongest and most violent where there is the lowest degree of culture. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe degreeshatehatred A judge who cannot punish, in the end associates themselves with the criminal. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe criminalsjudgingjustice To create something you must be something. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe mental-strengthliterature The hero draws inspiration from the virtue of his ancestors. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe virtueinspirationhero Desire is the presentiment of our inner abilities, and the forerunner of our ultimate accomplishments. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe abilityaccomplishmentdesire
