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Johann Wolfgang von Goethe on Birthday

1749–1832 Germany

← All quotes by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

11 quotes

One always has time enough, if one will apply it well.

The highest happiness, the purest joys of life, wear out at last.

Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others,
And in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own.
Not in the morning alone, not only at mid-day he charmeth;
Even at setting, the sun is still the same glorious planet.

He who does not see the whole world in his friends, does not deserve that the world should hear of him.

Every situation, every moment — is of infinite worth; for it is the representative of a whole eternity.

Conversations of Goethe with Eckermann and Soret (1850)

My inheritance, how wide and fair
Time is my estate; to Time I'm heir.

Long is the calm brain active in creation;
Time only strengthens the fine fermentation.

Age childish makes, they say, but 'tis not true;
We're only genuine children still in Age's season.

What one has wished for in youth, in old age one has in abundance.

Thus at Time's humming loom I ply.

Old age is courteous—no one more:
For time after time he knocks at the door,
But nobody says, "Walk in, sir, pray!"
Yet turns he not from the door away,
But lifts the latch, and enters with speed,
And then they cry, "A cool one, indeed."

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.