Quote

A genuine work of art usually displeases at first sight, as it suggests a deficiency in the spectator.

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
Work
Suggests
Spectators
Genuine
Sight
Usually
Art
Displeases
Firsts
Spectator
First
Deficiency

More quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Image
To the man of thought almost nothing is really ridiculous.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Passions are vices or virtues to their highest powers.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Nothing is more damaging to the truth than an old error.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Man's highest merit always is, as much as possible, to rule external circumstances and as little as possible to let himself be ruled by them.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Whoever, in middle age, attempts to realize the wishes and hopes of his early youth, invariably deceives himself. Each ten years of a man's life has its own fortunes, its own hopes, its own desires.
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
Whatever necessity lays upon thee, endure whatever she commands, do.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
If you call a thing bad you do little, if you call a thing good you do much
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
One should not search for anything behind the phenomena. They themselves are the message.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
The use of a thing is only a part of its significance. To know anything thoroughly, to have the full command of it in all its appliances, we must study it on its own account, independently of any special application.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
A human being needs only a small plot of ground on which to be happy, and even less to lie beneath.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Sometimes I don't understand how another can love her, is allowed to love her, since I love her so completely myself, so intensely, so fully, grasp nothing, know nothing, have nothing but her!
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
What is the true test of character unless it be its progressive development in the bustle and turmoil, in the action and reaction of daily life.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Happy the man who early learns the wide chasm that lies between his wishes and his powers.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Beauty vanishes virtue is lasting.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
The mortal race is far too weak not to grow dizzy on unwonted brights. [Ger., Das sterbliche Geschlecht ist viel zu schwach In ungewohnter Hohe nicht zu schwindeln.]
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
A person places themselves on a level with the ones they praise.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Mere curiosity adds wings to every step.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe