--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whatever necessity lays upon thee…" description: "\"Whatever necessity lays upon thee, endure; whatever she commands, do.\" — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4d/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_command_whatever-necessity-lays-upon-thee-endure_1510557.jpg" --- # Whatever necessity lays upon thee, endure; whatever she… ![“Whatever necessity lays upon thee, endure; whatever she commands, do.” quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4d/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_command_whatever-necessity-lays-upon-thee-endure_1510557.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4d/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_command_whatever-necessity-lays-upon-thee-endure_1510557.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4d/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_command_whatever-necessity-lays-upon-thee-endure_1510557.jpg) > “Whatever necessity lays upon thee, endure; whatever she commands, do.” [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. One must endure unavoidable necessities and obey commands, implying resilience and obedience to higher forces. **In simple terms:** Endure necessities, obey commands. Key Takeaway Accept and adapt to life's demands. Themes resilience obedience philosophy Mood thoughtful serious Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - career challenges - personal growth - military duty - spiritual practice Key Concepts ethics stoicism Questions to Reflect On - When should you question authority? - How do you balance endurance with autonomy? A Different Perspective Blind obedience can suppress individuality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Command](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/command/) [Endure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/endure/) [Endure Commands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/endure-commands-5559840/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Lays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lays/) [Necessity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/necessity/) [Necessity Lays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/necessity-lays-5559841/) [Perseverance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perseverance/) [Thee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thee/) [Thee Endure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thee-endure-5559839/) ## Related quotes > [Thank God when He lays a burden on thee, and thank Him when He takes it off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/thank-god-when-he-lays-a-burden-on-thee-and-thank-him-when-he-takes/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [To hard necessity ones will and fancy must conform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/to-hard-necessity-ones-will-and-fancy-must-conform/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Necessity is cruel, but it is the only test of inward strength. 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Blessed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-tarantino/the-path-of-the-righteous-man-is-beset-on-all-sides-by-the-inequities/) [Quentin Tarantino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-tarantino/) > [Even thus last night, and two nights more I lay, And could not win thee, Sleep, by any stealth: So do not let me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wordsworth/even-thus-last-night-and-two-nights-more-i-lay-and-could-not-win-thee/) [William Wordsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wordsworth/) > [Lay hold of life with both hands, whenever thou mayest seize it, it is interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/lay-hold-of-life-with-both-hands-whenever-thou-mayest-seize-it-it-is/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [As for solitude, I cannot understand how certain people seek to lay claim to intellectual stature, nobility of soul and strength of character, yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/as-for-solitude-i-cannot-understand-how-certain-people-seek-to-lay/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [The few of understanding, vision rare, Who veiled not from the herd their hearts, but tried, Poor generous fools, to lay their feelings bare,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/the-few-of-understanding-vision-rare-who-veiled-not-from-the-herd/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [We lay aside letters never to read them again, and at last we destroy them out discretion, and so disappears the most immediate breath…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-lay-aside-letters-never-to-read-them-again-and-at-last-we-destroy/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Being of service is not an option, it is a biological necessity. Every kind of action we do for someone is a reanimation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/being-of-service-is-not-an-option-it-is-a-biological-necessity-every/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) ## 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 Command quotes > [Why couldn't Jesus command us to obsess over everything, to try to control and manipulate people, to try not to breathe at all, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/why-couldn-t-jesus-command-us-to-obsess-over-everything-to-try-to/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [Geometry, which should only obey Physics, when united with it sometimes commands it. If it happens that the question which we wish to examine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-le-rond-d-alembert/geometry-which-should-only-obey-physics-when-united-with-it-sometimes/) [Jean le Rond d'Alembert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-le-rond-d-alembert/) > [I started with the belief that every person who came to the laboratory was free to accept or to reject the dictates of authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-milgram/i-started-with-the-belief-that-every-person-who-came-to-the/) [Stanley Milgram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-milgram/) > [Daily contact with some teachers is itself all-sided ethical education for the child without a spoken precept. Here, too, the real advantage of male…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-stanley-hall/daily-contact-with-some-teachers-is-itself-all-sided-ethical/) [G. Stanley Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-stanley-hall/) > [Our beliefs are like the unquestioned commands, telling us how things are, what's possible and what's impossible, what we can and can not do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/our-beliefs-are-like-the-unquestioned-commands-telling-us-how-things/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [Why has no religion this command before all others: Thou shalt work?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/berthold-auerbach/why-has-no-religion-this-command-before-all-others-thou-shalt-work/) [Berthold Auerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/berthold-auerbach/) > [I ask one thing only: I ask for the right to hope, to suffer as I do. But if even that cannot be, command…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/i-ask-one-thing-only-i-ask-for-the-right-to-hope-to-suffer-as-i-do/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [When you're in command, command.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-w-nimitz/when-you-re-in-command-command/) [Chester W. Nimitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-w-nimitz/) > [No one holds command over me. No man. No god. No Prince. What is a claim of age for ones who are immortal? What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/no-one-holds-command-over-me-no-man-no-god-no-prince-what-is-a-claim/) [Hunter S. 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Branscomb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-m-branscomb/) [Browse all 1,694 Command quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/command/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Whatever necessity lays upon thee, endure; whatever she commands, do.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Johann Wolfgang von Goethe" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/whatever-necessity-lays-upon-thee-endure-whatever-she-commands-do/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Command" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/whatever-necessity-lays-upon-thee-endure-whatever-she-commands-do/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4d/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_command_whatever-necessity-lays-upon-thee-endure_1510557.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4d/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_command_whatever-necessity-lays-upon-thee-endure_1510557.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4d/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_command_whatever-necessity-lays-upon-thee-endure_1510557.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Whatever necessity lays upon thee, endure; whatever she commands, do.” — 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": "Whatever necessity lays upon thee, endure;...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/whatever-necessity-lays-upon-thee-endure-whatever-she-commands-do/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/whatever-necessity-lays-upon-thee-endure-whatever-she-commands-do/#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 } } ] } ```