When ideas fail, words come in very handy. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe More Quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe More Quotes From Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Our friends show us what we can do; our enemies teach us what we must do. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe friendship peace enemy What is hardest of all? That which seems most simple: to see with your eyes what is before your eyes. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe hardest eye simple Rest not. Life is sweeping by; go and dare before you die. Something mighty and sublime, leave behind to conquer time. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe time inspirational life A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe beautiful beauty art There are two things parents should give their children roots and wings. Roots to give them bearing and a sense of belonging, but also wings to help free them from constraints and prejudices and give them other ways to travel (or rather, to fly). Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wings two children What is important in life is life, and not the result of life. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe contentment important life He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe being-happy happiness peace Divide and rule, the politician cries; unite and lead, is watchword of the wise. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wisdom literature wise Man can find no better retreat from the world than art, and man can find no stronger link with the world than art. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe hipster men art The more one knows, the more one comprehends, the more one realizes that everything turns in a circle. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe turns realizing circles Wisdom is found only in truth. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wisdom truth found By seeking and blundering we learn. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe learning mistake education Very few people love others for what they are; rather, they love what they lend them, their own selves, their own idea of them. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe self people ideas Few people have the imagination for reality. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe inspiration reality people The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe loneliness beauty love For a brave man deserves a well-endowed girl. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe girl brave men The important thing in life is to have a great aim, and the determination to attain it. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe things-in-life determination motivational Our passions are the true phoenixes; when the old one is burnt out, a new one rises from its ashes. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe phoenix ashes passion Everything is both simpler than we can imagine and more entangled than we can conceive. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe simple-life imagine imagination The best government is that which teaches us to govern ourselves. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe freedom government history