Books Quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

A book is a storehouse carried in the pocket

— Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Beware of a man of one book.

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The style of an author is a faithful copy of his mind.

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Nature is, after all, the only book that offers important content on every page.

— Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

The decline in literature indicates a decline in the nation. The two keep pace in their downward tendency.

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Every author in some way portrays himself in his works, even if it be against his will.

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

It is the great triumph of genius to make the common appear novel.

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I can tell you, honest friend, what to believe: believe life; it teaches better that book or orator.

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

National literature no longer means very much, the age of world literature is due.

— Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

“Literature decays only as men become more and more corrupt.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I can tell you, honest friend, what to believe: believe life; it teaches better than book or orator.

— Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

“Whether the Koran is of eternity I don't ask about that That it is the book of books I believe it to…

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The most original of authors are not so because they advance what is new, but more because they know how to say…

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

And I like those authors best whose scenes describe my own situation in life-- and the friends who are about me whose…

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Literature is a fragment of a fragment. Of all that ever happened, or has been said, but a fraction has been written;…

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“Whatever truths or fables you may find in a thousand books, it is all a tower of Babel unless love holds it…

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Properly speaking, we learn from those books only that we cannot judge. The author of a book that I am competent to…

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

If one has not read the newspapers for some months and then reads them all together, one sees, as one never saw…

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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

“O, may you look, full moon that shines, On my pain for this last time: So many midnights from my desk, I…

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“I, for my share, cannot understand," continued she, "how men have made themselves believe that God speaks to us through books and…

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

There are three classes of readers; some enjoy without judgment; others judge without enjoyment; and some there are who judge while they…

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“Left to itself every literature will exhaust its vitality, if it is not refreshed by the interest and contributions of a foreign…

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

It is quite beyond me how anyone can believe God speaks to us in books and stories. If the world does not…

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Whatever we may say against collections, which present authors in a disjointed form, they nevertheless bring about many excellent results. We are…

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The decline of literature indicates the decline of a nation.

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Good children's literature appeals not only to the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

If a man writes a book, let him set down only what he knows. I have guesses enough of my own.

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Of the book of books most wondrous is the tender book of love.

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Daily life is more instructive than the most effective book.

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

He who does not expect a million readers should not write a line.

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“Let this little book be thy friend, if, owing to fortune or through thine own fault, thou canst not find a dearer…

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Generally speaking, an author's style is a faithful copy of his mind. If you would write a lucid style, let there first…

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The clever reader who is capable or reading between these lines what does not stand written in them but is nevertheless implied…

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

National literature does not mean much these days; now is the age of world literature, and every one must contribute to hasten…

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Certain books seem to be written, not that we might learn from them, but in order that we might see how much…

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Never let a day pass without looking at some perfect work of art, hearing some great piece of music and reading, in…

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Every reader, if he has a strong mind, reads himself into the book, and amalgamates his thoughts with those of the author.

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

He who would reproach an author for obscurity should look into his own mind to see whether it is quite clear there.…

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe