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 Image
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 Image
All lyrical work must, as a whole, be perfectly intelligible, but in some particulars a little unintelligible. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
