Quote

Every great idea exerts, on first appearing, a tyrannical influence: Hence, the advantages it brings are turned all too soon into disadvantages.

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
Advantage
Tyrannical
Influence
Disadvantages
Idea
Appearing
Ideas
Advantages
Firsts
Hence
First
Brings
Great
Turned
Every
Soon
Exerts

More quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Image
Is not the core of nature in the heart of man?
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
There is no past we can bring back by longing for it. There is only an eternal now that builds and creates out of the past something new and better.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Gray are all the theories, But green is the tree of life.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
If one doesn't know one's own country, one doesn't have standards for foreign countries.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Truth is a torch, but a terrific one therefore we all try to reach it with closed eyes, lest we should be scorched.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Self-love exaggerates our faults as well as our virtues.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Courage and modesty are the most unequivocal of virtues, for they are of a kind that hypocrisy cannot imitate they too have this quality in common, that they are expressed by the same color.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
If you are convinced of a matter, you must take sides or you don't deserve to succeed.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
A man's manners are a mirror in which he shows his portrait.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
The flowers of life are but visionary. How many pass away and leave no trace behind! How few yield any fruit,--and the fruit itself, how rarely does it ripen! And yet there are flowers enough and is it not strange, my friend, that we should suffer the little that does really ripen to rot, decay, and perish unenjoyed?
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Whatever Nature undertakes, she can only accomplish it in a sequence. She never makes a leap.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Superstition belongs to the essence of mankind and takes refuge, when one thinks one has suppressed it completely, in the strangest nooks and crannies once it is safely ensconced there, it suddenly reappears.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
A purpose you impart is no longer your own.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
The person born with a talent they are meant to use will find their greatest happiness in using it.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
The present is a powerful deity. [Ger., Die Gegenwart ist eine machtige Gottin.]
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Why go further and further, Look, happiness is right here. Learn how to grab hold of luck, For luck is always there.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
The world remains ever the same.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Know'st thou yesterday, its aim and reason? Work'st thou will today for worthier things? Then calmly wait the morrow's hidden season, And fear thou not, what hap soe'er it brings
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
The bad thing is that thinking about thought doesn't help at all one has to have it from nature so that the good ideas appear before us like free children of God calling to us: Here we are.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe