Creation Quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
““My father gave my stature tall, And rule of life decorous; My mother my nature genial And joy in making stories; Full well my grandsire loved the fair, A tendency that lingers; My grandam gold and gems so rare, An itch still in the fingers. If no part from this complex all Can now be separated, What can you name original That is in me created? - - - GER: Vom Vater hab ich die Statur, Des Lebens ernstes Führen, Von Mütterchen die Frohnatur Und Lust zu fabulieren. Urahnherr war der Schönsten hold, Das spukt so hin und wieder, Urahnfrau liebte Schmuck und Gold, Das zuckt wohl durch die Glieder. Sind nun die Elemente nicht Aus dem Komplex zu trennen, Was ist denn an dem ganzen Wicht Original zu nennen? Zahme Xenien VI.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Zahme Xenien VI, 1798
The speaker lists inherited traits from parents and ancestors, asking what original essence remains when all parts are inseparable.
In simple terms: Inherited traits blend; original self unclear.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the mix of influences in yourself.
Themes
inheritance
identity
family
self‑discovery
Mood
thoughtful
introspective
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- family discussions
- genealogical research
Key Concepts
genealogy
psychology
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you define your core self beyond inherited traits?
- Can you separate personal identity from family influence?
A Different Perspective
The concept of an immutable original self may be contested.
![“Perhaps no order of mammals presents us with so extraordinary a series of gradations as this [step by step, from humans to apes to monkeys to lemurs] - leading us insensibly from the crown and summit of the animal creation down to creatures, from which there is but a step, as it seems, to the…” quote by Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f0b/thomas-huxley-1183_animal_perhaps-no-order-of-mammals-presents-us_3051.jpg)
