Goethe Quote by William Somerset Maugham
““It was the period in Germany of Goethe’s highest fame. Notwithstanding his rather condescending attitude towards patriotism he had been adopted as the national poet, and seemed since the war of seventy to be one of the most significant glories of national unity. The enthusiastic seemed in the wildness of the Walpurgisnacht to hear the rattle of artillery at Gravelotte. But one mark of a writer’s greatness is that different minds can find in him different inspirations; and Professor Erlin, who hated the Prussians, gave his enthusiastic admiration to Goethe because his works, Olympian””
About This Quote
Great writers can inspire disparate political views; personal bias doesn’t erase universal artistic merit.
In simple terms: Goethe unites opposing sides.
Key Takeaway
Art transcends politics.
Themes
literature
politics
national identity
interpretation
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
historical analysis
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Political debates over national symbols
- School curricula choices
Key Concepts
subjective reception
cultural appropriation
Practical Applications
- Use literature to bridge ideological divides
Questions to Reflect On
- How should societies handle artists with conflicting values?
- Can art be truly apolitical?
A Different Perspective
Celebrating a figure can mask their personal contradictions.
