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

More quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Image
All our knowledge is symbolic.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Men are so constituted that every one undertakes what he sees another successful in, whether he has aptitude for it or not.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
In art, to express the infinite one should suggest infinitely more than is expressed.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
There is nothing more frightful than an active ignorance. [Ger., Es ist nichts schrecklicher als eine thatige Unwissenheit.]
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
No one would talk much in society if they knew how often they misunderstood others.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
A true German can't stand the French, Yet willingly he drinks their wines.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
When ideas fail, words come in very handy.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Age does not make us childish, as some say it finds us true children.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Misunderstandings and neglect occasion more mischief in the world than malice and wickedness.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Ingratitude is always a kind of weakness. I have never known men of ability to be ungrateful.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
One glance, one word from you gives more pleasure than all the wisdom of this world.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
A man may twist as he pleases, and do what he pleases, but he inevitably comes back to the track to which nature has destined him.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
It is the color closest to light. In its utmost purity it always implies the nature of brightness and has a cheerful, serene, gently stimulating character. Hence, experience teaches us that yellow makes a thoroughly warm and comforting impression.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Impotent hatred is the most horrible of all emotions one should hate nobody whom one cannot destroy.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
The world is for thousands a freak show the images flicker past and vanish the impressions remain flat and unconnected in the soul. Thus they are easily led by the opinions of others, are content to let their impressions be shuffled and rearranged and evaluated differently.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
I don't know a greater advantage, than to appreciate the worth of an enemy.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Even though the world as a whole progresses, youth must always start again from the beginning, and as individuals go through the epochs of the world's culture.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
The few of understanding, vision rare, Who veiled not from the herd their hearts, but tried, Poor generous fools, to lay their feelings bare, Them have men always burnt and crucified.
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
I respect the man who knows distinctly what he wants.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe