Best work Quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“Taste is only to be educated by contemplation, not of the tolerably good but of the truly excellent. I therefore show you only the best works; and when you are grounded in these, you will have a standard for the rest, which you will know how to value, without overrating them.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship, 1795
Cultivating taste requires exposure to the highest quality, not merely satisfactory examples, establishing a benchmark for true appreciation.
In simple terms: Learn from the best to set a standard.
Key Takeaway
Seek excellence, not mediocrity.
Themes
education
taste
excellence
standards
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- literary study
- curating collections
- personal development
Key Concepts
Aesthetics
hierarchy of value
critical judgment
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines "truly excellent" for you?
- How do you avoid overrating familiar works?
A Different Perspective
Great works may be inaccessible to all; personal bias can distort standards.
