Johann Wolfgang von Goethe - True Quotes

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Yes! to this thought I hold with firm persistence;
The last result of wisdom stamps it true;
He only earns his freedom and existence
Who daily conquers them anew.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Thinking by analogy is not to be despised. Analogy has this merit, that it does not settle things - does not pretend to be conclusive. On the other hand, that induction is pernicious which, with a preconceived end in view, and working right forward for only that, drags in its train a number of unsifted observations, both false and true.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Mannerism is always longing to have done, and has no true enjoyment in work. A genuine, really great talent, on the other hand, has its greatest happiness in execution.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
There is much that is true which does not admit of being calculated; just as there are a great many things that cannot be brought to the test of a decisive experiment.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A state of true and universal tolerance is best ensured by leaving alone the peculiarities of men and peoples.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Age childish makes, they say, but 'tis not true;
We're only genuine children still in Age's season.
[Ger., Das Alter macht nicht kindisch, wie man spricht,
Es findet uns nur noch als wahre Kinder.]

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
No two men see the world exactly alike, and different temperaments will apply in different ways a principle that they both acknowledge. The same man will, indeed, often see and judge the same things differently on different occasions: early convictions must give way to more mature ones. Nevertheless, may not the opinions that a man holds and expresses withstand all trials, if he only remains true to himself and others?

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Where is the man who has the strength to be true, and to show himself as he is?

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Nature understands no jesting. She is always true, always serious, always severe. She is always right, and the errors are always those of man.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
It is ever true that he who does nothing for others, does nothing for himself.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A true German can't stand the French, Yet gladly he drinks their wines.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The desire to explain what is simple by what is complex, what is easy by what is difficult, is a calamity affecting the whole body of science, known, it is true, to men of insight, but not generally admitted.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Our passions are true phoenixes; as the old burn out the new straight rise up from the ashes.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The true, prescriptive artist strives after artistic truth; the lawless artist, following blind instinct, after an appearance of naturalness. The one leads to the highest peaks of art, the other to its lowest depths.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
There is no trifling with nature; it is always true, grave, and severe; it is always in the light, and the faults and errors fall to our share. It defies incompetency, but reveals its secrets to the competent, the truthful, and the pure.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
He who is and remains true to himself and to others has the most attractive quality of the greatest talent.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Age does not make us childish, as they say. It only finds us true children still.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe