The poet should seize the Particular, and he should, if there be anything sound in it, thus represent the Universal. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
Words are mere sound and smoke, dimming the heavenly light. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
[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 Copy Share Image
Sound and sufficient reason falls, after all, to the share of but few men, and those few men exert their influence in… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
Whenever I hear people talking about liberal ideas, I am always astounded that men should love to fool themselves with empty sounds.… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
It is in vain that a man of sound mind and cool temper understands the condition of such a wretched being... He… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
Divide and rule, a sound motto. Unite and lead, a better one. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
It is not always needful for truth to take a definite shape; it is enough if it hovers about us like 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