Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quotes - page 27

Alas sorrow from happiness is oft evolved. (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)
Enjoy what thou has inherited from thy sires if thou wouldn't really possess it. What we employ and use is never an oppressive burden what the moment brings forth, that only can it profit by. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Few have at once both thought and capacity for action. Thought expands, but lames action animates, but narrows. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Love has power to give in a moment what toil can scarcely reach in an age. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
There is no past that we can bring back by longing for it. There is only an eternally new now that builds and creates itself out of the Best as the past withdraws. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The connoisseur of art must be able to appreciate what is simply beautiful, but the common run of people is satisfied with ornament. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The day is committed to error and floundering success and achievement are matters of long range. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
You must either conquer and rule or serve and lose, suffer or triumph, be the anvil or the hammer. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Only learn to seize good fortune, for good fortune is always here. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Tomorrow sees undone, what happens not to-day Still forward press, nor never tire The possible, with steadfast trust, Resolve should be by the forelock grasp. Then she will neer let go her clasp, And labors on, because she must. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Faith is like private capital, stored in ones own house. It is like a public savings bank or loan office, from which individuals receive assistance in their days of need but here the creditor quietly takes his interest for himself. (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)
Not the maker of plans and promises, but rather the one who offers faithful service in small matters. This is the person who is most likely to achieve what is good and lasting. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The world is so full of simpletons and madmen, that one need not seek them in a madhouse. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
When two people are really happy about one another, one can generally assume that they are mistaken. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
It matters little whether a man be mathematically, or philologically, or artistically cultivated, so he be but cultivated. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Only the heart without a stain knows perfect ease. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
What makes people happy is activity changing evil itself into good by power, working in a God like manner. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A wife is a gift bestowed upon man to reconcile him to the loss of paradise. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A distracted existence leads us to no goal. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
You accuse a woman of wavering affections, but don't blame her she is just looking for a consistent man. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Words are good, but there is something better. The best is not to be explained by words. The spirit in which we act is the chief matter. Action can only be understood and represented by the spirit. (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)
Lose this day loitering, twill be the same story Tomorrow, and the rest more dilatory Thus, indecision brings its own delays And days are lost lamenting over days, Are you in earnest Seize this very moment What you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Courage has genius, power and magic in it Only engage, and then the mind grows heated. Begin it and the work will be completed. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
He alone deserves liberty and life who daily must win them anew. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The philosopher must station themselves in the middle. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Science has been seriously retarded by the study of what is not worth knowing, and what is not knowable. View quote
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe