Writing history is a method of getting rid of the past. — 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.” — 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
He who does not expect a million readers should not write a line. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
The most original of authors are not so because they advance what is new, but more because they know how to say… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
We are pantheists when we study nature, polytheists when we write poetry, monotheists in our morality. — 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
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
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
Someday someone will write a pathology of experimental physics and bring to light all those swindles which subvert our reason, beguile our… — 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
The style of writing required in the great world is distinguished by a free and daring grace, a careless security, a fine… — 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
After all, poets shouldn't be their own interpreters and shouldn't carefully dissect their poems into everyday prose; that would mean the end… — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Copy Share Image
It is commonly the personal character of a writer which gives him his public significance. It is not imparted by his genius.… — 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
