--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Thou shalt abstain, Renounce, refrain." description: "\"Thou shalt abstain, Renounce, refrain.\" — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a5/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_inspirational_thou-shalt-abstain-renounce-refrain-2058_2058080.jpg" --- # Thou shalt abstain, Renounce, refrain. ![“Thou shalt abstain, Renounce, refrain.” quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a5/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_inspirational_thou-shalt-abstain-renounce-refrain-2058_2058080.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a5/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_inspirational_thou-shalt-abstain-renounce-refrain-2058_2058080.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a5/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_inspirational_thou-shalt-abstain-renounce-refrain-2058_2058080.jpg) > “Thou shalt abstain, Renounce, refrain.” [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. Advocates self‑discipline and restraint as paths to moral clarity. **In simple terms:** Control desires through abstinence. Key Takeaway Practice restraint daily. Themes self‑control morality spirituality Mood reflective serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - personal habits - dietary choices - spiritual practice Key Concepts asceticism willpower Questions to Reflect On - What habits could you moderate? - How does restraint affect your freedom? A Different Perspective Abstinence may lead to repression if not balanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abstain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstain/) [Abstain Renounce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstain-renounce-3912517/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Refrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refrain/) [Renounce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/renounce/) [Renounce Refrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/renounce-refrain-3912518/) [Shalt Abstain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shalt-abstain-3912516/) [Temptation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temptation/) [Thou Shalt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thou-shalt/) ## Related quotes > [I am obliged to renounce violence, and abstain from it altogether.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/i-am-obliged-to-renounce-violence-and-abstain-from-it-altogether/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Renounce all things, and thou shalt find all things; give up thy lust, and thou shalt find rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/renounce-all-things-and-thou-shalt-find-all-things-give-up-thy-lust/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [You shall abstain, shall abstain. That is the eternal song.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/you-shall-abstain-shall-abstain-that-is-the-eternal-song/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“Entbehren sollst du - sollst entbehren. Thou shalt forego, shalt do without.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/entbehren-sollst-du-sollst-entbehren-thou-shalt-forego-shalt-do/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [It is with art as with love: How can a man of the world,with all his distractions, keep the inwardness which an artist must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/it-is-with-art-as-with-love-how-can-a-man-of-the-world-with-all-his/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [People should talk less and draw more. Personally, I would like to renounce speech altogether and, like organic nature, communicate everything I have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/people-should-talk-less-and-draw-more-personally-i-would-like-to/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [When I am giving the relation of a thing, remember to abstain from altering either in the matter or manner of speaking, so much,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/when-i-am-giving-the-relation-of-a-thing-remember-to-abstain-from/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [We live only to dance. If living were not an essential prerequisite, we would abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-bentley/we-live-only-to-dance-if-living-were-not-an-essential-prerequisite-we/) [Toni Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-bentley/) > [I find it easier to abstain than do a little bit of anything. I'm not a 'little bit' kind of dame. I want it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-stritch/i-find-it-easier-to-abstain-than-do-a-little-bit-of-anything-i-m-not/) [Elaine Stritch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-stritch/) > [In doubt if an action is just, abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoroaster/in-doubt-if-an-action-is-just-abstain/) [Zoroaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoroaster/) > [All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/all-philosophy-lies-in-two-words-sustain-and-abstain/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Make no mistake: Deciding to abstain from the Pledge of Allegiance does communicate something, and therefore, it is a form of speech. It's also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-timpf/make-no-mistake-deciding-to-abstain-from-the-pledge-of-allegiance/) [Kat Timpf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-timpf/) > [“THAT you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves, from these you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/that-you-abstain-from-things-offered-to-idols-from-blood-from-things/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [When you are near I abstain myself,but when you are away I badly miss you sweetheart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pappi-reddy/when-you-are-near-i-abstain-myself-but-when-you-are-away-i-badly-miss/) [Pappi Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pappi-reddy/) > [We ought to observe that practice which is the hardest of all-especially for young physicians-we ought to throw in no medicine at all-to abstain-to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-randolph-of-roanoke/we-ought-to-observe-that-practice-which-is-the-hardest-of-all/) [John Randolph of Roanoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-randolph-of-roanoke/) ## 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 Abstain quotes > [We ought to observe that practice which is the hardest of all-especially for young physicians-we ought to throw in no medicine at all-to abstain-to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-randolph-of-roanoke/we-ought-to-observe-that-practice-which-is-the-hardest-of-all/) [John Randolph of Roanoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-randolph-of-roanoke/) > [When you are near I abstain myself,but when you are away I badly miss you sweetheart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pappi-reddy/when-you-are-near-i-abstain-myself-but-when-you-are-away-i-badly-miss/) [Pappi Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pappi-reddy/) > [“THAT you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves, from these you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/that-you-abstain-from-things-offered-to-idols-from-blood-from-things/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Make no mistake: Deciding to abstain from the Pledge of Allegiance does communicate something, and therefore, it is a form of speech. It's also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-timpf/make-no-mistake-deciding-to-abstain-from-the-pledge-of-allegiance/) [Kat Timpf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-timpf/) > [All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/all-philosophy-lies-in-two-words-sustain-and-abstain/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [In doubt if an action is just, abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoroaster/in-doubt-if-an-action-is-just-abstain/) [Zoroaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoroaster/) > [I find it easier to abstain than do a little bit of anything. I'm not a 'little bit' kind of dame. I want it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-stritch/i-find-it-easier-to-abstain-than-do-a-little-bit-of-anything-i-m-not/) [Elaine Stritch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-stritch/) > [We live only to dance. If living were not an essential prerequisite, we would abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-bentley/we-live-only-to-dance-if-living-were-not-an-essential-prerequisite-we/) [Toni Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-bentley/) > [When I am giving the relation of a thing, remember to abstain from altering either in the matter or manner of speaking, so much,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/when-i-am-giving-the-relation-of-a-thing-remember-to-abstain-from/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [When we are in doubt whether an action is good or bad, abstain from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoroaster/when-we-are-in-doubt-whether-an-action-is-good-or-bad-abstain-from-it/) [Zoroaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoroaster/) > [The Christian must abstain from sin. It is as simple and direct as that. You have no right to say, 'I am weak, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martyn/the-christian-must-abstain-from-sin-it-is-as-simple-and-direct-as/) [Martyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martyn/) > [When you are in doubt abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoroaster/when-you-are-in-doubt-abstain/) [Zoroaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoroaster/) > [Every man who has ever been earnest to preserve his higher or poetic faculties in the best condition, has been particularly inclined to abstain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/every-man-who-has-ever-been-earnest-to-preserve-his-higher-or-poetic/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [To abstain from sin when one can no longer sin is to be forsaken by sin, not to forsake it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/to-abstain-from-sin-when-one-can-no-longer-sin-is-to-be-forsaken-by/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [Abstain from all sinful, unwholesome actions, perform only pious wholesome ones, purify the mind; this is the teaching of enlightened ones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/abstain-from-all-sinful-unwholesome-actions-perform-only-pious/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) [Browse all 61 Abstain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstain/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Thou shalt abstain, Renounce, refrain.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Johann Wolfgang von Goethe" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/thou-shalt-abstain-renounce-refrain/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Abstain" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/thou-shalt-abstain-renounce-refrain/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a5/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_inspirational_thou-shalt-abstain-renounce-refrain-2058_2058080.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a5/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_inspirational_thou-shalt-abstain-renounce-refrain-2058_2058080.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a5/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_inspirational_thou-shalt-abstain-renounce-refrain-2058_2058080.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Thou shalt abstain, Renounce, refrain.” — 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": "Thou shalt abstain, Renounce, refrain.", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/thou-shalt-abstain-renounce-refrain/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/thou-shalt-abstain-renounce-refrain/#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 } } ] } ```