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The greatest piece of folly is that every man thinks himself compelled to hand down what people think they have known.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Age: 82 †
Born: 1749
Born: August 22
Died: 1832
Died: March 22
Aphorist
Art Critic
Art Theorist
Autobiographer
Botanist
Composer
Diarist
Diplomat
Jurist
Lawyer
Librarian
Librettist
Literary
Frankfurt/Main
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Goethe
goethe
johann wolfgang von goethe
joh. wolfg. von goethe
j. w. von goethe
Known
Knowledge
Compelled
Hands
Folly
Every
Thinks
Men
Piece
Think
Pieces
Thinking
Greatest
People
Hand

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I reverence the individual who understands distinctly what he wishes who unweariedly advances, who knows the means conducive to his object, and can seize and use them.
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Yes, I have finally arrived to this Capital of the World! I now see all the dreams of my youth coming to life... Only in Rome is it possible to understand Rome.
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Names are but noise and smoke, Obscuring heavenly light.
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Time itself is an element.
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There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings.
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Love can do much, but duty more.
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Error is to truth as sleep is to waking. I have observed that one turns, as if refreshed, from error back to truth.
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Analysis and synthesis are both as necessary to the thinking spirit as inspiration and expiration to the organism.
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To tremble before anticipated evils is to bemoan what thou hast never lost.
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[W]hat counts is that one perceives excellence and dares to give it expression, which sounds little but is in fact a great deal.
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Napoleon for the sake of a good name broke in pieces half the world.
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I will listen to anyone's convictions, but pray keep your doubts to yourself.
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We can always redeem the man who aspires and strives.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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What a mighty spirit in a narrow bosom. [Ger., Welch' hoher Geist in einer engen Brust.]
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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There is nothing more fearful than imagination without taste. [Ger., Es ist nichts furchterlicher als Einbildungskraft ohne Geschmack.]
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Personality is everything in art and poetry.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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And those whom once my song had cheered and gladdened, If still they live, rove through the world now saddened.
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The aim of living is life itself.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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Wisdom is only found in truth. [Ger., Die Weisheit ist nur in der Wahrheit.]
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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No matter what one says, you can recognize only those matters that are equal to you. Only rulers who possess extraordinary abilities will recognize and esteem properly extraordinary abilities in their subjects and servants.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe