Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann WolfgangGoethetə/; German: ; 28 August 1749 – 22 March 1832) was a German writer and statesman. His body of work includes epic and lyric poetry written in a variety of metres and styles; prose and verse dramas; memoirs; an autobiography; literary and aesthetic criticism; treatises on botany, anatomy, and colour; and four novels. In addition, numerous literary and scientific fragments, more than 10,000 letters, and nearly 3,000 drawings by him exist...
NationalityGerman
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth28 August 1749
CountryGermany
The sea is flowing ever, The land retains it never.
A noble soul alone can noble souls attract; And knows alone, as ye, to hold them.
The iron hand of necessity commands, and her stern decree is supreme law, to which the gods even must submit. In deep silence rules the uncounselled sister of eternal fate. Whatever she lays upon thee, endure; perform whatever she commands.
Necessity is cruel, but it is the only test of inward strength. Every fool may live according to his own likings.
Great necessity elevates man, petty necessity casts him down
The mob has nothing to lose, everything to gain.
If I say to the moment: 'Stay now! You are so beautiful'!
For a brave man deserves a well-endowed girl.
I have heard myself accused of being an opponent, an enemy of mathematics, which no one can value more highly than I, for it accomplishes the very thing whose achievement has been denied me.
Cursed Mammon be, when he with treasures To restless action spurs our fate! Cursed when for soft, indulgent leisures, He lays for us the pillows straight.
Judge a man's character by what he finds ridiculous.
No sacred fane requires us to submit to insult.
Be always resolute with the present hour. Every moment is of infinite value.
When an idea is wanting, a word can always be found to take its place.