The sun had, in the meanwhile, sunk behind the Ettersberg. We felt in the wood the chill of the evening, and drove all the quicker to Wiemar, and to Goethe's house. Goethe urged me to go in with him for a while, and I did so. He was in an extremely engaging mood. He talked a great deal about his theory of colors, and of his obstinate opponents; remarking that he was sure that he had done something in this science.

Let us not dream that reason can ever be popular. Passions, emotions, may be made popular; but reason remains ever the property of an elect few.

Habit is a man's sole comfort. We dislike doing without even unpleasant things to which we have become accustomed.

Could we perfect human nature, we might also expect a perfect state of things.

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

The eternal female draws us onward.

Whoever gives himself up to solitude, Ah! he is soon alone.