Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quotes​

Born
28 August 1749 Free Imperial City of Frankfurt, Holy Roman Empire.

Died
22 March 1832.

Occupation
Poet.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a German poet.

Nothing is worth more than this day.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The coward only threatens when he is safe.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Behavior is the mirror in which everyone shows their image.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Passions are vices or virtues to their highest powers.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The hardest thing to see is what is in front of your eyes.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

If I love you, what business is it of yours?
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Self-knowledge comes from knowing other men.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

To the person with a firm purpose all men and things are servants.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Beauty is a manifestation of secret natural laws, which otherwise would have been hidden from us forever.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Let everyone sweep in front of his own door, and the whole world will be clean.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Love and desire are the spirit’s wings to great deeds.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Nothing is more fearful than imagination without taste.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Know thyself? If I knew myself I would run away.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Love does not dominate; it cultivates.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

He only earns his freedom and his life Who takes them every day by storm.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

A man’s manners are a mirror in which he shows his portrait.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and, if possible, speak a few sensible words.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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

Being brilliant is no great feat if you respect nothing.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

He who enjoys doing and enjoys what he has done is happy.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Character develops itself in the stream of life.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

We are never deceived; we deceive ourselves.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Letters are among the most significant memorial a person can leave behind them.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The best government is that which teaches us to govern ourselves.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Certain defects are necessary for the existence of individuality.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

One must ask children and birds how cherries and strawberries taste.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

A person hears only what they understand.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The people who are absent are the ideal; those who are present seem to be quite commonplace.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe