---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Several classical sayings that one likes…"
description: "\"Several classical sayings that one likes to repeat had quite a different meaning from the ones later times attributed to them.\" — Johann Wolfgang von G..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e0/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_different_several-classical-sayings-that-one-likes_2651915.jpg"
---

#  Several classical sayings that one likes to repeat had…

![“Several classical sayings that one likes to repeat had quite a different meaning from the ones later times attributed to them.” quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e0/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_different_several-classical-sayings-that-one-likes_2651915.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e0/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_different_several-classical-sayings-that-one-likes_2651915.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e0/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_different_several-classical-sayings-that-one-likes_2651915.jpg)

> “Several classical sayings that one likes to repeat had quite a different meaning from the ones later times attributed to them.”

[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.

Historical sayings can shift in meaning over time.

**In simple terms:** Meanings change as cultures reinterpret.

Key Takeaway

Question origins before quoting.

Themes

history language interpretation

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

educational philosophical

When to use this quote

- academic research
- public speeches
- media citations

Key Concepts

semantic drift cultural evolution

Questions to Reflect On

- How does context alter a saying’s impact?
- Do you verify sources before using quotes?

A Different Perspective

Original intent may be lost or distorted.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Classical Sayings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/classical-sayings-2357742/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Different meanings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-meanings/) [Later Times](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/later-times-2357743/) [Likes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/likes/) [Repeat Quite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repeat-quite-2357745/) [Repeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repeats/) [Sayings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sayings/) [Sayings Likes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sayings-likes-2357744/)

## Related quotes

> [In old times men used their powers of painting to show the objects of faith, in later times they use the objects of faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/in-old-times-men-used-their-powers-of-painting-to-show-the-objects-of/)

[John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/)

> [He who understands Archimedes and Apollonius will admire less the achievements of the foremost men of later times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gottfried-leibniz/he-who-understands-archimedes-and-apollonius-will-admire-less-the/)

[Gottfried Leibniz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gottfried-leibniz/)

> [There are several different meanings of the words religion and spirituality, all of which are important. The whole point about an integral or comprehensive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-wilber/there-are-several-different-meanings-of-the-words-religion-and/)

[Ken Wilber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-wilber/)

> [Every time you use the phrase all my life it has a different meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/every-time-you-use-the-phrase-all-my-life-it-has-a-different-meaning/)

[George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/)

> [I really don't know what exactly all the songs mean. Sometimes other people have meanings and when I hear them I think, 'That's really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simon/i-really-don-t-know-what-exactly-all-the-songs-mean-sometimes-other/)

[Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simon/)

> [“Concepts such as ‘health’ or ‘quality of life’ cannot claim to have a unique, unchanging meaning. Such concepts entail a degree of social and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-prah-ruger/concepts-such-as-health-or-quality-of-life-cannot-claim-to-have-a/)

[Jennifer Prah Ruger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-prah-ruger/)

> [If I sing "you broke my heart, you left me flat," everyone knows exactly what that means - they know the story. But if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-mcferrin/if-i-sing-you-broke-my-heart-you-left-me-flat-everyone-knows-exactly/)

[Bobby McFerrin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-mcferrin/)

> [To say that... behaviors have different 'meanings' is only another way of saying that they are controlled by different variables.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-f-skinner/to-say-that-behaviors-have-different-meanings-is-only-another-way-of/)

[B. F. Skinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-f-skinner/)

> [When you lose someone, a whole lot of perfectly normal circumstances suddenly take on different meaning. You see it in a different light. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/when-you-lose-someone-a-whole-lot-of-perfectly-normal-circumstances/)

[Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/)

> [Muslims have different meanings for the same words that we use. They are so convinced of the "truth" of Islam that they do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-sina/muslims-have-different-meanings-for-the-same-words-that-we-use-they/)

[Ali Sina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-sina/)

> [Words can mean different things to different people. It is important to understand what people mean when they use a certain word. Let's make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-sina/words-can-mean-different-things-to-different-people-it-is-important/)

[Ali Sina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-sina/)

> [To forgive and To forget two very similar words but two very different meanings yet amazingly powerful when used together in that sequence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-orante/to-forgive-and-to-forget-two-very-similar-words-but-two-very/)

[Cristina Orante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-orante/)

> [Silence is of different kinds, and breathes different meanings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/silence-is-of-different-kinds-and-breathes-different-meanings/)

[Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/)

> [“Like everything that's any good, it has about twenty different meanings.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-powell/like-everything-that-s-any-good-it-has-about-twenty-different-meanings/)

[Anthony Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-powell/)

> [Jesus' kingdom was not like the popular expectation. He used the phrase 'kingdom of God' with a different meaning. His kingdom was not of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-harpur/jesus-kingdom-was-not-like-the-popular-expectation-he-used-the-phrase/)

[Tom Harpur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-harpur/)

## 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 Different quotes

> [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/)

[Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/)

> [I've seen a lot of people come out of Carol City, but I had this distinct vision for Carol City, just me coming out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-curry/i-ve-seen-a-lot-of-people-come-out-of-carol-city-but-i-had-this/)

[Denzel Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-curry/)

> [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/)

[Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/)

> [Some shows just go away - and that's fine. They serve their purpose and their entertainment value, but there are shows that touch people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cudlitz/some-shows-just-go-away-and-that-s-fine-they-serve-their-purpose-and/)

[Michael Cudlitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cudlitz/)

> [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/)

[David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/)

> [One of the reasons that I do a lot of different kinds of pictures is because I learn a lot when I'm doing them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-jason-leigh/one-of-the-reasons-that-i-do-a-lot-of-different-kinds-of-pictures-is/)

[Jennifer Jason Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-jason-leigh/)

> [I painted the words "GREAT ADVENTURE" in Beijing, Dallas, San Francisco, Copenhagen, and Japan. What it means to me is completely different to everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-eine/i-painted-the-words-great-adventure-in-beijing-dallas-san-francisco/)

[Ben Eine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-eine/)

> [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/)

[Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/)

> [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/)

[G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/)

> [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/)

[Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/)

> [Suffering did different things to different people...Some souls became tempered, unshakable in their faith, while others became twisted and mis-shapen, throwing off all connection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-ragen/suffering-did-different-things-to-different-people-some-souls-became/)

[Naomi Ragen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-ragen/)

> [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/)

[Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/)

> [I always aspired to do something different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayushmann-khurrana/i-always-aspired-to-do-something-different/)

[Ayushmann Khurrana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayushmann-khurrana/)

> [The talk shows in the States want celebrities, not authors. In France, it is different; writers are called upon to comment on everything. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/the-talk-shows-in-the-states-want-celebrities-not-authors-in-france/)

[Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/)

> [My favorite job is the next one. Its such a gratifying experience getting to creatively keep trying something new and push things in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-craig-smith/my-favorite-job-is-the-next-one-its-such-a-gratifying-experience/)

[Roger Craig Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-craig-smith/)

[Browse all 28,697 Different quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Several classical sayings that one likes to repeat had quite a different meaning from the ones later times attributed to them.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Johann Wolfgang von Goethe"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/several-classical-sayings-that-one-likes-to-repeat-had-quite-a/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Different"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/several-classical-sayings-that-one-likes-to-repeat-had-quite-a/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e0/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_different_several-classical-sayings-that-one-likes_2651915.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e0/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_different_several-classical-sayings-that-one-likes_2651915.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e0/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_different_several-classical-sayings-that-one-likes_2651915.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Several classical sayings that one likes to repeat had quite a different meaning from the ones later times…” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Johann Wolfgang von Goethe",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Several classical sayings that one likes...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/several-classical-sayings-that-one-likes-to-repeat-had-quite-a/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/several-classical-sayings-that-one-likes-to-repeat-had-quite-a/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
