The hero draws inspiration from the virtue of his ancestors.

With the growth of knowledge our ideas must from time to time be organized afresh. The change takes place usually in accordance with new maxims as they arise, but it always remains provisional.

Properly speaking, we learn from those books only that we cannot judge. The author of a book that I am competent to criticise would have to learn from me.

I have often reaped what others have sowed. My work is the work of a collective being that bears the name Goethe.

What dazzles, for the moment spends its spirit; Whats genuine, shall posterity inherit.

Do people conform to the instructions of us old ones? Each thinks he must know best about himself, and thus many are lost entirely.

A great scholar is seldom a great philosopher.