49 quotes
German writer, artist, natural scientist and politician (1749–1832)
“Age does not make us childish, as some say; it finds us true children.”
"Once we are lost unto ourselves, everything else is lost to us."
on Philosophy
"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it."
on Inspirational
"Art is long, life short, judgment difficult, opportunity transient. To act is easy, to think is hard; to act according to our thought is troublesome."
on Art
"It is ever true that he who does nothing for others, does nothing for himself."
"Every day one should at least hear one little song, read one good poem, see one fine painting and -- if at all possible -- speak a few sensible words."
"In the realm of ideas, everything depends on enthusiasm. ... In the real world, all rests on perseverance."
on Perseverance
"The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving."
on Life
"Whatever liberates our spirit without giving us mastery over ourselves is destructive."
on Freedom
"Divide and rule, the politician cries;Unite and lead, is watchword of the wise."
on Leadership
"As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live."
"The person born with a talent they are meant to use will find their greatest happiness in using it."
on Talent
"Everything is just how I imagined it, yet everything is new"
on Imagination
"Nothing is more highly to be prized than the value of each day"
"No one has ever properly understood me, I have never fully understood anyone; and no one understands anyone else"
"Who are you then?" "I am part of that power which eternally wills evil and eternally works good."
"It is not easy in this world for one person to understand the next one."
on Communication
"Du hast so viele Leben, wie du Sprachen sprichst. (You have as many lives as the number of languages you speak.)"
on Language
"A mans manners are a mirror in which he shows his portrait."
on Wisdom
"Each one sees what he carries in his heart."
on Perception
"Talent develops in tranquility, character in the full current of human life."
on Character
