Quotes by Goethe

Unlike grownups children have little need to deceive themselves.

We are never deceived we deceive ourselves.

People may live as much retired from the world as they please but sooner or later before they are aware they will find themselves debtor or creditor to somebody.

We know accurately only when we know little with knowledge doubt increases.

From desire I plunge to its fulfilment where I long once more for desire.

Thou must (in commanding and winning or serving and losing suffering or triumphing) be either anvil or hammer.

It is in the half fools and the half wise that the greatest danger lies.

It is better to be deceived by ones friends than to deceive them.

Genius develops in quiet places character out in the full current of human life.

I make presents to the mother but think of the daughter.

We can always redeem the man who aspires and strives.

It is said that no man is a hero to his valet. That is because a hero can be recognized only by a hero.

He is happiest be he king or peasant who finds peace in his home.

We accept every person in the world as that for which he gives himself out only he must give himself out for something. We can put up with the unpleasant more easily than we can endure the insignificant.

If you treat men the way they are you never improve them. If you treat them the way you want them to be you do.

There is nothing more frightening than ignorance in action.

When an idea is wanting a word can always be found to take its place.

And here poor fool with all my lore I stand no wiser than before.

Life is the childhood of our immortality.

One mans word is no mans word we should quietly hear both sides.