Quotes from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Rest not Life is sweeping by go and dare before you die. Something mighty and sublime, leave behind to conquer time.

Nothing is more dangerous than solitude.

There are two things children should get from their parents: roots and wings.

To be pleased with one's limits is a wretched state.

If I accept you as you are, I will make you worse; however, if I treat you as though you are what you are capable of becoming, I help you become that.

Let mental culture go on advancing, let the natural sciences progress in even greater extent and depth, and the human mind widen itself as much as it desires: beyond the elevation and moral culture of Christianity, as it shines forth in the Gospels, it will not go.

Everything transitory is but an image.

There are but two roads that lead to an important goal and to the doing of great things: strength and perseverance. Strength is the lot of but a few priveledged men; but austere perseverance, harsh and continuous, may be employed by the smallest of us and rarely fails of its purpose, for its silent power grows irresistibly greater with time.

No one has ever properly understood me, I have never fully understood anyone; and no one understands anyone else

Beauty is a manifestation of secret natural laws, which otherwise would have been hidden from us forever.

He values my understanding and talents more highly than my heart, but I am proud of the latter only. It is the sole source of everything of our strength, happiness, and misery. All the knowledge I possess every one else can acquire, but my heart is exclusively my own.

If any man wish to write in a clear style, let him be first clear in his thoughts; and if any would write in a noble style, let him first possess a noble soul.

A creation of importance can only be produced when its author isolates himself; it is a child of solitude.

The deed is everything; the fame is nothing.

We usually lost today because there has been a yesterday, and tomorrow is coming.

Do not give in too much to feelings. A overly sensitive heart is an unhappy possession on this shaky earth.

Waste not a day in vain digression; with resolute, courageous trust seek every possible impression and make it firmly your posession you'll then work on because you must.

A really great talent finds its happiness in execution.

I see my discourse leaves you cold; Dear kids, I do not take offense; Recall: the Devil, he is old, Grow old yourselves, and he'll make sense!

In the colorful reflection we have what is life.

To live within limits. To want one thing. Or a few things very much and love them dearly. Cling to them, survey them from every angle. Become one with them - that is what makes the poet, the artist, the human being.

Behaviour is a mirror in which every one displays his own image.

A word spoken is a terrible thing when it suddenly utters what the heart has long allowed.

Sweet moonlight, shining full and clear, Why do you light my torture here? How often have you seen me toil, Burning last drops of midnight oil. On books and papers as I read, My friend, your mournful light you shed. If only I could flee this den And walk the mountain-tops again, Through moonlit meadows make my way, In mountain caves with spirits play - Released from learning's musty cell, Your healing dew would make me well!