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From nothing nothing comes, take that
To heart, if thou would'st something be.

— Matthias Claudius

Aus nichts wird nichts, das merke wohl,
Wenn aus dir etwas werden soll.

Original text (German)

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More quotes by Matthias Claudius

Attack not thoughtlessly a wasp’s nest, but if you do, stand fast.

When anyone a journey takes,
He has some yarns to spin.

Old Winter is the man for me,—
Stout-hearted, sound, and steady.

My portrait in a rage did nature draw,
And gave me only a sweet voice —"he-haw!"

The Rhine—the Rhine—there grow the gay plantations!
O hallowed be the Rhine!
Upon his banks are brewed the rich potations
Of this consoling wine.

All Matthias Claudius quotes →

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Matthias Claudius (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.