Excellence Quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

13 Excellence quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

All Excellence quotes Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s page

Goethe’s reflections on Excellence are distilled into thirteen succinct statements, each bearing his classic literary weight. The collection offers a brief but profound look at his ideas about mastery.

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Excellence is rarely found, more rarely valued.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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The master proves himselin recognizing his limitations.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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The confidant of my vices is my master, though he were my valet.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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Habit is the most imperious of all masters.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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Mastery passes often for egotism.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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Mastery is often taken for egotism.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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[W]hat counts is that one perceives excellence and dares to give it expression, which sounds little but is in fact a great…

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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He who is and remains true to himself and to others has the most attractive quality of the greatest talent.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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That we understand something perfectly, that we accomplish something better than anyone else around us, that is what matters.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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The little that is completed, vanishes from the sight of one who looks forward to what is still to do.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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You must be either the servant or the master, the hammer or the anvil.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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Perfection is the measure of heaven, and the wish to be perfect the measure of man.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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Profoundness, genius, spontaneity, merit, nobility, ingenuity, voice propriety, feeling, discernment, sensibility, good taste, great tone, rightness, courtliness, vivacity, boldness, style, freshness, harmony,…

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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More by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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I never believed in trying to do anything. Whatever I set out to do I found I had already accomplished.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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All lyrical work must, as a whole, be perfectly intelligible, but in some particulars a little unintelligible.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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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

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There is no patriotic art and no patriotic science.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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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

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Nothing is worse than active ignorance.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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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

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Our foibles are really what make us lovable.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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Instruction does much, but encouragement everything.

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

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Giving is the business of the rich.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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Just begin and the mind grows heated; continue, and the task will be completed!

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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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

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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

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