Creativity Quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
““There is nothing more dreadful than imagination without taste.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1795
Imagination lacking discernment leads to ideas that are unsettling or harmful.
In simple terms: Uncontrolled imagination can be dangerous.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate taste to guide creative thoughts.
Themes
creativity
discipline
aesthetics
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
advisory
philosophical
When to use this quote
- artistic creation
- writing
- design
- problem solving
Key Concepts
taste
imagination
critical judgment
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance wild ideas with refined judgment?
- What practices sharpen your aesthetic sense?
A Different Perspective
Without taste, imagination may produce chaos rather than insight.
![“There is nothing more fearful than imagination without taste. [Ger., Es ist nichts furchterlicher als Einbildungskraft ohne Geschmack.]” quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c7c/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_als_there-is-nothing-more-fearful-than-imagi_1618026.jpg)
![“Seriously, I do not know what to say of this book [ Absalom, Absalom!] except that it seem to point to the final blowup of what was once a remarkable, if minor, talent… this is a penny dreadful tricked up in fancy language and given a specious depth by the expert manipulation of a series of…” quote by Clifton Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cc1/clifton-fadiman-11053_book_seriously-i-do-not-know-what-to-say-of-t_494033.jpg)
