Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Germany
28 Aug 1749 // 22 Mar 1832
Poet / Novelist / Humanist / Scientist / Philosopher
28 Aug 1749 // 22 Mar 1832
Poet / Novelist / Humanist / Scientist / Philosopher
Quotes
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The people who are absent are the ideal; those who are present seem to be quite commonplace
The most happy man is he who knows how to bring into relation the end and beginning of his life
The mediator of the inexpressible is the work of art
The man with insight enough to admit his limitations comes nearest to perfection
The man who occupies the first place seldom plays the principal part
The intelligent man finds almost everything ridiculous, the sensible man hardly anything
The human mind will not be confined to any limits
The credit of advancing science has always been due to individuals and never to the age
The coward only threatens when he is safe
The best government is that which teaches us to govern ourselves
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On Anger: "For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind."
Essays
Essays
On Destiny: "Our destiny exercises its influence over us even when, as yet, we have not learned its nature: it is our future that lays down the law of our today."
Human, All Too Human
Human, All Too Human
On Friendship: "A crowd is not company; and faces are but a gallery of pictures; and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love."
Essays
Essays