Quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Few people have the imagination for reality.
The coward only threatens when he is safe.
Talents are best nurtured in solitude. Character is best formed in the stormy billows of the world.
If you wish to know the mind of a man, listen to his words.
Passions are vices or virtues to their highest powers.
Life belongs to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for changes.
He who does not think much of himself is much more esteemed than he imagines.
The decline of literature indicates the decline of a nation.
We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.
Everybody wants to be somebody; nobody wants to grow.
I can tell you, honest friend, what to believe: believe life; it teaches better that book or orator.
Live dangerously and you live right.
One always has time enough, if one will apply it well.
To the person with a firm purpose all men and things are servants.
A noble person attracts noble people, and knows how to hold on to them.
There is nothing in which people more betray their character than in what they laugh at.
For a man to achieve all that is demanded of him he must regard himself as greater than he is.
I will listen to anyone's convictions, but pray keep your doubts to yourself.
The man with insight enough to admit his limitations comes nearest to perfection.
In the realm of ideas everything depends on enthusiasm... in the real world all rests on perseverance.
Personality is everything in art and poetry.
To hard necessity ones will and fancy must conform.
Common sense is the genius of humanity.
Nature knows no pause in progress and development, and attaches her curse on all inaction.
A useless life is an early death.
