This being busied with thoughts of immortality is for the noble classes and especially for women with nothing to do. A solid person, though, someone who already intends to be something worthy here, and who therefore has to strive daily, has to struggle and work, gives the world to come a rest.
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheMan supposes that he directs his life and governs his actions, when his existence is irretrievably under the control of destiny
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheTo tremble before anticipated evils is to bemoan what thou hast never lost.
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheTo have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is to not have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything.
Johann Wolfgang von GoetheIt is commonly the personal character of a writer which gives him his public significance. It is not imparted by his genius. Napoleon said of Corneille, "Were he living I would make him a king;" but he did not read him. He read Racine, yet he said nothing of the kind of Racine.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe