if only these treasures were not so fragile as they are precious and beautiful.
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheMysterious in the light of day, nature retains her veil, despite our clamours: That which she does not willingly display cannot be wrenched from her with levers, screws and hammers.
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheNature! We live in her midst and know her not. She is incessantly speaking to us, but betrays not her secret. We constantly act upon her, and yet have no power over her. Variant: NATURE! We are surrounded and embraced by her: powerless to separate ourselves from her, and powerless to penetrate beyond her.
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheIn society every man is taken for what he gives himself out to be; but he must give himself out to be something. Better to be slightly disagreeable than altogether insignificant.
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheThe man who acts never has any conscience; no one has any conscience but the man who thinks
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheTaste is only to be educated by contemplation, not of the tolerably good but of the truly excellent. I therefore show you only the best works; and when you are grounded in these, you will have a standard for the rest, which you will know how to value, without overrating them.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe