Wood burns because it has the proper stuff for that purpose in it; and a man becomes renowned because he has the necessary stuff in him. Renown is not to be sought, and all pursuit of it is vain. A person may, indeed, by skillful conduct and various artificial means, make a sort of name for himself; but if the inner jewel is wanting, all is vanity, and will not last a day.
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheWe are accustomed to see men deride what they do not understand, and snarl at the good and beautiful because it lies beyond their sympathies
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheYou canโt, if you canโt feel it, if it never Rises from the soul, and sways The heart of every single hearer, With deepest power, in simple ways. Youโll sit forever, gluing things together, Cooking up a stew from otherโs scraps, Blowing on a miserable fire, Made from your heap of dying ash. Let apes and children praise your art, If their admirationโs to your taste, But youโll never speak from heart to heart, Unless it rises up from your heartโs space.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe