The true, prescriptive artist strives after artistic truth; the lawless artist, following blind instinct, after an appearance of naturalness. The one leads… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
A great artist... must be shaken by the naked truths that will not be comforted. This divine discontent, this disequilibrium, this state… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
Of the truly creative no one is ever master; it must be left to go its own way. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
Some books seem to have been written, not to teach us anything, but to let us know that the author has known… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
The artist who is not also a craftsman is no good; but, alas, most of our artists are nothing else. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share
I never believed in trying to do anything. Whatever I set out to do I found I had already accomplished. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share
All lyrical work must, as a whole, be perfectly intelligible, but in some particulars a little unintelligible. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share
We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share
It is easier to perceive error than to find truth, for the former lies on the surface and is easily seen, while the latter… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share
The connoisseur of art must be able to appreciate what is simply beautiful, but the common run of people is satisfied with ornament — Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Copy Share
Let us not dream that reason can ever be popular. Passions, emotions, may be made popular; but reason remains ever the property of an… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share
Just begin and the mind grows heated; continue, and the task will be completed! — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share
I look upon all four Gospels as thoroughly genuine, for there shines forth from them the reflected splendor of a sublimity proceeding from Jesus… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share
Whatever we may say against collections, which present authors in a disjointed form, they nevertheless bring about many excellent results. We are not always… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share
