The collection / 1,545 fragments

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1,545 results · Page 42 of 65Play this collection ▷

01c. 1790 AD

From time to time I meet with a youth in whom I can wish for no alteration or improvement, only I am sorry to see how often his nature makes him quite ready to swim with the stream of the time; and it is on this that I would always insist, that man in his fragile boat has the rudder placed in his hand, just that he may not be at the mercy of the waves, but follow the direction of his own insight.

Goethe / quote

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02c. 1790 AD

But how is a young man to come of himself to see blame in things which every one is busy with, which every one approves and promotes? Why should he not follow his natural bent and go in the same direction as they?

Goethe / quote

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03c. 1790 AD

As little as you can stifle a steam-engine, so little can you do this in the moral sphere either. The activity of commerce, the rush and rustle of paper-money, the swelling-up of debts to pay debts—all these are the monstrous elements to which in these days a young man is exposed. Well is it for him if he is gifted by nature with a sober, quiet temperament; neither to make claims on the world out of all proportion to his position, nor yet let the world determine it.

Goethe / quote

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04c. 1790 AD

But on all sides he is threatened by the spirit of the day, and nothing is more needful than to make him see early enough the direction in which his will has to steer.

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05c. 1790 AD

The significance of the most harmless words and actions grows with the years, and if I see any one about me for any length of time, I always try to show him the difference there is between sincerity, confidence, and indiscretion; nay, that in truth there is no difference at all, but a gentle transition from what is most innocent to what is most hurtful; a transition which must be perceived or rather felt.

Goethe / quote

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06c. 1790 AD

Herein we must exercise our tact; otherwise in the very way in which we have won the favour of mankind, we run the risk of trifling it away again unawares. This is a lesson which a man learns quite well for himself in the course of life, but only after having paid a dear price for it; nor can he, unhappily, spare his posterity a like expenditure.

Goethe / quote

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07c. 1790 AD

Love of truth shows itself in this, that a man knows how to find and value the good in everything.

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08c. 1790 AD

If I am to listen to another man's opinion, it must be expressed positively. Of things problematical I have enough in myself.

Goethe / quote

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09c. 1790 AD

Superstition is a part of the very being of humanity; and when we fancy that we are banishing it altogether, it takes refuge in the strangest nooks and corners, and then suddenly comes forth again, as soon as it believes itself at all safe.

Goethe / quote

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10c. 1790 AD

I keep silence about many things, for I do not want to put people out of countenance; and I am well content if they are pleased with things that annoy me.

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11c. 1790 AD

Everything that frees our spirit without giving us control of ourselves is ruinous.

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12c. 1790 AD

A man is really alive only when he delights in the good-will of others.

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13c. 1790 AD

Piety is not an end, but a means: a means of attaining the highest culture by the purest tranquillity of soul.

Goethe / quote

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14c. 1790 AD

Hence it may be observed that those who set up piety as an end and object are mostly hypocrites.

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15c. 1790 AD

When a man is old he must do more than when he was young.

Goethe / quote

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16c. 1790 AD

To fulfil a duty is still always to feel it as a debt, for it is never quite satisfying to oneself.

Goethe / quote

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17c. 1790 AD

Defects are perceived only by one who has no love; therefore, to see them, a man must become uncharitable, but not more so than is necessary for the purpose.

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18c. 1790 AD

The greatest piece of good fortune is that which corrects our deficiencies and redeems our mistakes.

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19c. 1790 AD

Reading ought to mean understanding; writing ought to mean knowing something; believing ought to mean comprehending; when you desire a thing, you will have to take it; when you demand it, you will not get it; and when you are experienced, you ought to be useful to others.

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20c. 1790 AD

The stream is friendly to the miller whom it serves; it likes to pour over the mill wheels; what is the good of it stealing through the valley in apathy?

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21c. 1790 AD

Whoso is content with pure experience and acts upon it has enough of truth. The growing child is wise in this sense.

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22c. 1790 AD

Theory is in itself of no use, except in so far as it makes us believe in the connection of phenomena.

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23c. 1790 AD

When a man asks too much and delights in complication, he is exposed to perplexity.

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24c. 1790 AD

Thinking by means of analogies is not to be condemned. Analogy has this advantage, that it comes to no conclusion, and does not, in truth, aim at finality at all. Induction, on the contrary, is fatal, for it sets up an object and keeps it in view, and, working on towards it, drags false and true with it in its train.

Goethe / quote

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