Desire is the presentiment of our inner abilities, and the forerunner of our ultimate accomplishments.
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheI hate all bungling as I do sin, but particularly bungling in politics, which leads to the misery and ruin of many thousands and millions of people.
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheMathematics 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 GoetheAnd I have again observed, my dear friend, in this trifling affair, that misunderstandings and neglect occasion more mischief in the world than even malice and wickedness. At all events, the two latter are of less frequent occurrence.
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheOnly by joy and sorrow does a person know anything about themselves and their destiny. They learn what to do and what to avoid.
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