Every author in some way portrays himself in his works, even if it be against his will. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
National literature no longer means very much, the age of world literature is due. — Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Copy Share Image
“Literature decays only as men become more and more corrupt.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
The decline of literature indicates the decline of a nation. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
Of the book of books most wondrous is the tender book of love. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
He who does not expect a million readers should not write a line. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
The decline in literature indicates a decline in the nation. The two keep pace in their downward tendency. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
“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 Copy Share Image
“. In many points, both literary and moral, I could have wished devoutly that he had not written as he has done;” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
Good children's literature appeals not only to the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
“Reading ought to mean understanding; writing ought to mean knowing something; believing ought to mean comprehending; when you desire a thing, you… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
How to please the public - that's the test, But nowadays I find I'm in a fix; I know they're not accustomed… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
My counsel is, to force nothing, and rather to trifle and sleep away all unproductive days and hours, than on such days… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
If any man wish to write in a clear style, let him be first clear in his thoughts; and if any would… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
“We really learn only from those books that we cannot judge. The author of a book that we were able to judge… — 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
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
All lyrical work must, as a whole, be perfectly intelligible, but in some particulars a little unintelligible. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share
We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share
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
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
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
Just begin and the mind grows heated; continue, and the task will be completed! — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share
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 Copy Share
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 Copy Share
