The highest problem of any art is to cause by appearance the illusion of a higher reality. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
Man's highest merit always is, as much as possible, to rule external circumstances and as little as possible to let himself be… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
Beauty is at once the ultimate principle and the highest aim of art. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
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
Piety is not a goal but a means to attain through the purest peace of mind the highest culture. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
In all things, to serve from the lowest station upwards is necessary. To restrict yourself to a trade is best. For the… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
Piety is not an end, but a means: a means of attaining the highest culture by the purest tranquility of soul. Hence… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
The mark of highest originality lies in the ability to develop a familiar idea so fruitfully that it would seem no one… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
Let no one be like another, yet everyone like the highest. How is this done? Be each one perfect in himself. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
The highest happiness, the purest joys of life, wear out at last. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
The highest happiness of man ... is to have probed what is knowable and quietly to revere what is unknowable. — 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