--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Profoundness, genius, spontaneity, merit…" description: "\"Profoundness, genius, spontaneity, merit, nobility, ingenuity, voice propriety, feeling, discernment, sensibility, good taste, great tone, rightness, c..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b4/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_all-time_profoundness-genius-spontaneity-merit-no_2025611.jpg" --- # Profoundness, genius, spontaneity, merit, nobility… ![“Profoundness, genius, spontaneity, merit, nobility, ingenuity, voice propriety, feeling, discernment, sensibility, good taste, great tone, rightness, courtliness, vivacity, boldness, style, freshness, harmony, perfection, imagination, purity, correctness. The greatest writer of all times. God's…” quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b4/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_all-time_profoundness-genius-spontaneity-merit-no_2025611.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b4/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_all-time_profoundness-genius-spontaneity-merit-no_2025611.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b4/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_all-time_profoundness-genius-spontaneity-merit-no_2025611.jpg) > “Profoundness, genius, spontaneity, merit, nobility, ingenuity, voice propriety, feeling, discernment, sensibility, good taste, great tone, rightness, courtliness, vivacity, boldness, style, freshness, harmony, perfection, imagination, purity, correctness. The greatest writer of all times. God's most astonishing creation.” [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The list enumerates qualities of an ideal writer, culminating in praising the greatest writer as a divine creation. **In simple terms:** An exhaustive catalog of literary virtues, ending with reverence for the ultimate writer. Key Takeaway Recognize and cultivate these qualities in your own writing. Themes literature excellence divine inspiration artistry humility Mood admiring introspective aspirational Type literary philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - writing workshops - literary criticism - personal development - spiritual reflection Key Concepts aesthetic theory creative process self‑assessment Questions to Reflect On - Which of these traits do you already embody? - How can you realistically develop the others? A Different Perspective Such lofty standards may intimidate rather than inspire. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boldness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boldness/) [Creation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creation/) [Discernment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discernment/) [Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Freshness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freshness/) [Genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genius/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Good taste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-taste/) [Harmony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harmony/) [Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) [Ingenuity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ingenuity/) [Nobility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nobility/) [Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection/) [Propriety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/propriety/) [Purity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purity/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Sensibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sensibility/) [Spontaneity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spontaneity/) [Style](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/style/) [Tone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tone/) [Vivacity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vivacity/) [Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voice/) ## Related quotes > [Mystery is not profoundness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/mystery-is-not-profoundness/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/kindness-in-thinking-creates-profoundness/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If you go back to 'Louie Louie,' there's the whole element there, where you need to be able to appreciate what 'dumb' is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-buckingham/if-you-go-back-to-louie-louie-there-s-the-whole-element-there-where/) [Lindsey Buckingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-buckingham/) > [Profoundness doesn't come intelligence, but from pure knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francelys-melecio/profoundness-doesn-t-come-intelligence-but-from-pure-knowledge/) Francelys Melecio > [After much seeking for truth and knowledge the profoundness of reality came to me with a clarity never before known.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/after-much-seeking-for-truth-and-knowledge-the-profoundness-of/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [What we understand to be profoundness, or importance, it changes. It should change. It should be this moment where you cannot believe that equalled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-vincent-mcmorrow/what-we-understand-to-be-profoundness-or-importance-it-changes-it/) [James Vincent McMorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-vincent-mcmorrow/) > [I'm lucky enough to work with, I think, the greatest writer there's ever been, Shakespeare. Whose collected works would always be under my pillow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-west/i-m-lucky-enough-to-work-with-i-think-the-greatest-writer-there-s/) [Samuel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-west/) > [“Do not speak unflatteringly of Jane," Flora said, walking beside Chad. "She is the greatest writer to have ever lived." "I thought that was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krista-mcgee/do-not-speak-unflatteringly-of-jane-flora-said-walking-beside-chad/) [Krista McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krista-mcgee/) > [Gene Wolfe is the greatest writer in the English language alive today. Let me repeat that: Gene Wolfe is the greatest writer in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-swanwick/gene-wolfe-is-the-greatest-writer-in-the-english-language-alive-today/) [Michael Swanwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-swanwick/) > [It is only a moment here and a moment there that the greatest writer has. Some cognizance of the fact must be taken in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/it-is-only-a-moment-here-and-a-moment-there-that-the-greatest-writer/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [Im lucky enough to work with, I think, the greatest writer theres ever been, Shakespeare. Whose collected works would always be under my pillow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-west/im-lucky-enough-to-work-with-i-think-the-greatest-writer-theres-ever/) [Samuel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-west/) > [Shakespeare, who is probably the greatest writer and poet of the English language, lived in a time that was politically very conservative and it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cox/shakespeare-who-is-probably-the-greatest-writer-and-poet-of-the/) [Alex Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cox/) > [“The greatest part of a writer's time is spent in reading in order to write.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-greatest-part-of-a-writer-s-time-is-spent-in-reading-in-order-to/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [No one expects a Broadway musical comedy to be in the vanguard of what is bohemian, raunchy, folkloric, academic or aggressively experimental. That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-jefferson/no-one-expects-a-broadway-musical-comedy-to-be-in-the-vanguard-of/) [Margo Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-jefferson/) > [A problem with my novels is that they, from the start, have been infantile and incredibly childish. There are childishness, stupidity, lack of wisdom,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-ove-knausgard/a-problem-with-my-novels-is-that-they-from-the-start-have-been/) [Karl Ove Knausgard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-ove-knausgard/) ## More by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I never believed in trying to do anything. Whatever I set out to do I found I had already accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-never-believed-in-trying-to-do-anything-whatever-i-set-out-to-do-i/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [All lyrical work must, as a whole, be perfectly intelligible, but in some particulars a little unintelligible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/all-lyrical-work-must-as-a-whole-be-perfectly-intelligible-but-in/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-know-accurately-only-when-we-know-little-with-knowledge-doubt/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [It is easier to perceive error than to find truth, for the former lies on the surface and is easily seen, while the latter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/it-is-easier-to-perceive-error-than-to-find-truth-for-the-former-lies/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [There is no patriotic art and no patriotic science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/there-is-no-patriotic-art-and-no-patriotic-science/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [The connoisseur of art must be able to appreciate what is simply beautiful, but the common run of people is satisfied with ornament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/the-connoisseur-of-art-must-be-able-to-appreciate-what-is-simply/) [Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Nothing is worse than active ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/nothing-is-worse-than-active-ignorance/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Let us not dream that reason can ever be popular. Passions, emotions, may be made popular; but reason remains ever the property of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/let-us-not-dream-that-reason-can-ever-be-popular-passions-emotions/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Our foibles are really what make us lovable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/our-foibles-are-really-what-make-us-lovable/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Instruction does much, but encouragement everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/instruction-does-much-but-encouragement-everything/) [Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Giving is the business of the rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/giving-is-the-business-of-the-rich/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Just begin and the mind grows heated; continue, and the task will be completed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/just-begin-and-the-mind-grows-heated-continue-and-the-task-will-be/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I look upon all four Gospels as thoroughly genuine, for there shines forth from them the reflected splendor of a sublimity proceeding from Jesus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-look-upon-all-four-gospels-as-thoroughly-genuine-for-there-shines/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Whatever we may say against collections, which present authors in a disjointed form, they nevertheless bring about many excellent results. We are not always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/whatever-we-may-say-against-collections-which-present-authors-in-a/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) [Explore all 2,052 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) ## More All time quotes > [To be positive at all times is to ignore all that is important, sacred or valuable. To be negative at all times is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-cobain/to-be-positive-at-all-times-is-to-ignore-all-that-is-important-sacred/) [Kurt Cobain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-cobain/) > [One of our great allies at present is the Church itself. Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean the Church as we see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/one-of-our-great-allies-at-present-is-the-church-itself-do-not/) [C. S. 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I have a suspicion that on our hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-snow/i-don-t-know-whether-we-think-in-moving-images-or-whether-we-think-in/) [Jon Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-snow/) > [I'm big on tomato mozzarella salad. That's my favorite all-time food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-fields/i-m-big-on-tomato-mozzarella-salad-that-s-my-favorite-all-time-food/) [Jan Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-fields/) > [If you are my friend,you are down for me at all times,not just when it's convenient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasmine-v/if-you-are-my-friend-you-are-down-for-me-at-all-times-not-just-when/) [Jasmine V](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasmine-v/) > [At age 22 I set what I insist is an all-time record for distance hitchhiking in Bermuda shorts: 3,700 miles in three weeks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/at-age-22-i-set-what-i-insist-is-an-all-time-record-for-distance/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Perhaps if only once you did enjoy The thousandth part of all the happiness A heart beloved enjoys, returning love, Repentant, you would surely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torquato-tasso/perhaps-if-only-once-you-did-enjoy-the-thousandth-part-of-all-the/) [Torquato Tasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torquato-tasso/) > [I think, as a filmmaker, it's important to be honest with yourself at all times in terms of what's working and what's not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-wingard/i-think-as-a-filmmaker-it-s-important-to-be-honest-with-yourself-at/) [Adam Wingard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-wingard/) > [For all the concern about bodies and weight, 'Baywatch' has three huge catering trucks on the set at all times. One for entrees, one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-eggert/for-all-the-concern-about-bodies-and-weight-baywatch-has-three-huge/) [Nicole Eggert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-eggert/) > ['Lost Boys' is one of my all-time faves. I just thought it would be great to be a vampire. I remember this movie called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-headey/lost-boys-is-one-of-my-all-time-faves-i-just-thought-it-would-be/) [Lena Headey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-headey/) > [I have a constant kind of soundtrack going on at all times. I almost always have a song in my head. I'm very musically…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-davie/i-have-a-constant-kind-of-soundtrack-going-on-at-all-times-i-almost/) [Erin Davie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-davie/) > [Lord, make me less like Jonah and more like Jesus. 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