Accepting good advice means nothing other than to strengthen one's own ability.

What have the Germans gained by their boasted freedom of the press, except the liberty of abusing each other as they like?

The use of a thing is only a part of its significance. To know anything thoroughly, to have the full command of it in all its appliances, we must study it on its own account, independently of any special application.

Everything great and intelligent is in the minority

Generally speaking, an author's style is a faithful copy of his mind. If you would write a lucid style, let there first be light in your own mind; and if you would write a grand style, you ought to have a grand character.

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

Nothing should be valued higher than the value of the day.