Quote

It is a maxim of wise government to treat people not as they should be but as they actually are.

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
Wise
Actually
Government
People
Maxim
Maxims
Treat
Treats

More quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Image
The passions are like those demons with which Afrasahiab sailed down the Orus. Our only safety consists in keeping them asleep. If they we are lost.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Sowing is not as difficult as reaping.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
One must be something, in order to do something.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Sin writes histories, goodness is silent. [Ger., Das Uebel macht eine Geschichte und das Gute keine.]
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Dispel not, the happy delusions of children.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Music is either sacred or secular. The sacred agrees with its dignity, and here has its greatest effect on life, an effect that remains the same through all ages and epochs. Secular music should be cheerful throughout.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Of the truly creative no one is ever master it must be left to go its own way.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
We who didn't inherit political power nor are made to acquire riches like nothing better than that which expands and solidifies the power of the spirit.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Hypotheses are the scaffolds which are erected in front of a building and removedd when the building is completed. They are indispensable to the worker but the worker must not mistake the scaffolding for the building.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
It is not enough to have knowledge one must apply it. It is not enough to have wishes one must also accomplish it.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
It is natural to man to regard himself as the final cause of creation.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
He who does not expect a million readers should not write a line.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Gray are all the theories, But green is the tree of life.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Thus one can observe that those who proclaim piety as their goal and purpose usually turn into hypocrites.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Mysteries are not necessarily miracles.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Opponents fancy they refute us when they repeat their own opinion and pay no attention to ours.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
To live as one likes is plebian the noble man aspires to order and law.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
So dear night the half of life is, And the fairest half indeed.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
To quit smoking, you must first want to quit, but then you must also do the quitting
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Image
Plants and flowers of the commonest kind can form a pleasing diary, because nothing which calls back to us the remembrance of a happy moment can be insignificant.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe