Quote

There is nothing by which men display their character so much as in what they consider ridiculous... Fools and sensible men are equally innocuous. It is in the half fools and the half wise that the great danger lies.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

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
Great
Lies
Innocuous
Much
Fool
Deceit
Men
Danger
Fools
Wise
Display
Lying
Sensible
Half
Equally
Character
Ridiculous
Nothing
Consider

More quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Image
One cannot develop taste from what is of average quality but only from the very best.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Upon the creatures we have made, we are, ourselves, at last, dependent.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
The flowers are full of honey, but only the bee finds out the sweetness.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Do thine own task, and be therewith content.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Woe to falsehood! it affords no relief to the breast, like truth it gives us no comfort, pains him who forges it, and like an arrow directed by a god flies back and wounds the archer.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
If you wish to advance into the infinite, explore the finite in all directions.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
The style of writing required in the great world is distinguished by a free and daring grace, a careless security, a fine and sharp polish, a delicate and perfect taste while that fitted for the people is characterized by a vigorous natural fulness, a profound depth of feeling, and an engaging naivete.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Are we not also married to conscience which we would love to get rid of often enough since it is more bothersome than a man or a woman ever could become?
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
The misfortune in the state is, that nobody can enjoy life in peace, but that everybody must govern and in art, that nobody will enjoy what has been produced, but that every one wants to reproduce on his own account.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Words are good, but there is something better. The best cannot be explained by words. The spirit in which we act is the chief matter. Action can only be only understood and represented by the spirit.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
We blame equally him who is too proud to put a proper value on his own merit and him who prizes too highly his spurious worth.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Correction does much, but encouragement does more. Encouragement after censure is as the sun after a shower.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
The theater has often been at variance with the pulpit they ought not to quarrel. How much is it to be wished that in both the celebration of nature and of God were intrusted to none but men of noble minds.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Poor fool! in whose petty estimation all things are little.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Like the star that shines afar, Without haste and without rest, Let each one wheel with steady sway Round the task that rules the day, And do their best.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Choose well. Your choice is brief, and yet endless.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Behavior is the mirror in which everyone shows their image.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
The finished man, you know, is difficult to please a growing mind will ever show you gratitude. --Faust 1, lines 182-3
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
No one knows what he is doing so long as he is acting rightly but of what is wrong one is always conscious.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
What men usually say of misfortunes, that they never come alone, may with equal truth be said of good fortune nay, of other circumstances which gather round us in a harmonious way, whether it arise from a kind of fatality, or that man has the power of attracting to himself things that are mutually related.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe