Mathematics has the completely false reputation of yielding infallible conclusions. Its infallibility is nothing but identity. Two times two is not four, but it is just two times two, and that is what we call four for short. But four is nothing new at all. And thus it goes on and on in its conclusions, except that in the higher formulas the identity fades out of sight.
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheIn praising or loving a child, we love and praise not that which is, but that which we hope for.
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheIf you treat men the way they are you never improve them. If you treat them the way you want them to be, you do.
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheThat we understand something perfectly, that we accomplish something better than anyone else around us, that is what matters.
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheIn all things, to serve from the lowest station upwards is necessary. To restrict yourself to a trade is best. For the narrow mind, whatever he attempts is still a trade; for the higher, an art; and the highest in doing one thing does all, or, to speak less paradoxically, in the one thing which he does rightly he sees the likeness of all that is done rightly.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe