“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 Copy Share Image
One should not wish anyone disagreeable conditions of life; but for him who is involved in them by chance, they are touchstones… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
There is nothing in which people more betray their character than in what they laugh at. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
Character is formed in the stormy billows of the world. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
Moral epochs have their course as well as the seasons. We can no more hold them fast than we can hold sun,… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
Talent is nurtured in solitude; character is formed in the stormy billows of the world. [Ger., Es bildet ein talent sich in… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
The formation of one's character ought to be everyone's chief aim. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
The work of art may have a moral effect, but to demand moral purpose from the artist is to make him ruin… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
He loves not who does not see the faults of the beloved as virtues. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
Wine rejoices the heart of man and joy is the mother of all virtues. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
Character, in great and little things, means carrying through what you feel able to do. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
Nothing tells more about the character of a man than the things he makes fun of. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
A man's shortcomings are taken from his epoch; his virtues and greatness belong to himself. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
We love a girl for very different qualities than understanding. We love her for her beauty, her youth, her mirth, her confidingness,… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
“There is nothing in which people more betray their character than in what they find to laugh at.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
In society every man is taken for what he gives himself out to be; but he must give himself out to be… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
You don't love if you don't take the beloved's faults for virtues. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
Talent is nurtured in solitude; character is formed in the stormy billows of the world. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
I am certain that I have been here as I am now a thousand times before, and I hope to return a… — 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
