Without my attempts in natural science, I should never have learned to know mankind such as it is. In nothing else can we so closely approach pure contemplation and thought, so closely observe the errors of the senses and of the understanding, the weak and strong points of character.


Friday 13 February 1829. Johann Peter Eckermann, Conversations with Goethe, ed. J. K. Moorhead and trans. J. Oxenford (1971)


Without my attempts in natural science, I should never have learned to know mankind such as it is. In nothing else can we so closely approach pure...

Without my attempts in natural science, I should never have learned to know mankind such as it is. In nothing else can we so closely approach pure...

Without my attempts in natural science, I should never have learned to know mankind such as it is. In nothing else can we so closely approach pure...

Without my attempts in natural science, I should never have learned to know mankind such as it is. In nothing else can we so closely approach pure...