35 Inspirational Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes

I really hope that you will enjoy reading this wonderful collection of inspirational Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quotes.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) was a German writer, poet, philosopher, and statesman. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in world literature.

He was born on August 28, 1749, in Frankfurt, Germany. From an early age he showed exceptional intellectual abilities and a passion for literature. Despite initially studying law in Leipzig, his true calling lay in the arts and literature.

As he matured, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s interests expanded to include philosophy, botany, geology, and the arts. He embraced the Romantic movement’s ideas and engaged in scientific studies, including anatomy and optics.

Among his most significant works, is the two-part drama “Faust,” a masterpiece that explored human nature and the pursuit of knowledge.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s impact on literature and the arts is immeasurable, with his Quotes, poems, plays, novels, and philosophical work continuing to inspire people from all over the world.

Here are 35 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quotes that will totally inspire you and make you think about the world around you.

 

Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes

1. “We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise, we harden.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

2. “You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

 

3. “A person hears only what they understand.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

4. “Doubt can only be removed by action.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

 

5. “To think is easy. To act is hard. But the hardest thing in the world is to act in accordance with your thinking.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

6. “Courage is the commitment to begin without any guarantee of success.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

 

7. “A man sees in the world what he carries in his heart.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

8. “Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

 

9. “There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes

10. “What is not started today is never finished tomorrow.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

 

11. “Nothing should be prized more highly than the value of each day.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

12. “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

 

13. “I love those who yearn for the impossible.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

14. “Which is the best government? That which teaches us to govern ourselves.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

 

15. “The person born with a talent they are meant to use will find their greatest happiness in using it.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

16. “Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

 

17. “If you treat an individual as he is, he will remain how he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

18. “As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

 

19. “Many people take no care of their money till they come nearly to the end of it, and others do just the same with their time.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

Goethe Quotes

20. “Behavior is a mirror in which everyone displays his own image.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

 

21. “Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one’s thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

22. “The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

 

23. “Life belongs to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for changes.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

24. “Enjoy when you can, and endure when you must.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

 

25. “Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

26. “Correction does much, but encouragement does more.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

 

27. “Life teaches us to be less harsh with ourselves and with others.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

28. “Every person above the ordinary has a certain mission that they are called to fulfill.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

 

29. “One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and, if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

Inspirational Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes

30. “None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

 

31. “Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

32. “The man with insight enough to admit his limitations comes nearest to perfection.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

 

33. “It is not doing the thing we like to do, but liking the thing we have to do, that makes life blessed.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

34. “One never goes so far as when one doesn’t know where one is going.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

 

35. “Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward. They may be beaten, but they may start a winning game.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe left a lasting impact on literature, science and art. These Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quotes perfectly reflect his deep understanding of human nature and the world around him.

The above collection of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quotes continue to inspire and resonate with readers to this day.

Whether you are looking for words of wisdom, inspiration, or simply something to make you think, Goethe’s quotes are a valuable resource for anyone seeking for a deeper understanding of life.