One should not wish anyone disagreeable conditions of life; but for him who is involved in them by chance, they are touchstones of characters and of the most decisive value to man.

People may live as much retired from the world as they please; but sooner or later, before they are aware, they will find themselves debtor or creditor to somebody.

The best way to understand a painting is by drawing it.

Human life runs its course in the metamorphosis between receiving and giving.

Thou must (in commanding and winning, or serving and losing, suffering or triumphing) be either anvil or hammer.

It is better to be doing the most insignificant thing than to reckon even a half-hour insignificant.

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.