While man's desires and aspira...

While man's desires and aspirations stir,
He can not choose but err.
[Ger., Es irrt der Mensch so lang er strebt.]

There are men who never err, b...

There are men who never err, because they never propose anything
rational.
[Ger., Est giebt Menschen die gar nicht irren, weil sie sich
nichts Vernunftiges vorsetzen.]

He who is ignorant of foreign ...

He who is ignorant of foreign languages, knows not his own.
[Ger., Wer fremde Sprachen nicht kennt, weiss nichts von seiner
eigenen.]

He who does not stretch himsel...

He who does not stretch himself according to the coverlet finds
his feet uncovered.
[Ger., Wer sich nicht nach der Decke streckt,
Dem bleiben die Fusse unbedeckt.]

The coward only threatens when...

The coward only threatens when he is safe.
[Ger., Der Fiege droht nur, wo er sicher ist.]

Cursed Mammon be, when he with...

Cursed Mammon be, when he with treasures
To restless action spurs our fate!
Cursed when for soft, indulgent leisures,
He lays for us the pillows straight.

Everything in the world may be...

Everything in the world may be endured, except only a succession
of prosperous days.
[Ger., Alles in der Welt lasst sich ertragen,
Nur nicht eine Reihe von schonen Tagen.]

Beware of her fair hair, for s...

Beware of her fair hair, for she excels
All women in the magic of her locks;
And when she winds them round a young man's neck,
She will not ever set him free again.

The sea is flowing ever,
...

The sea is flowing ever,
The land retains it never.

Divide and command, a wise max...

Divide and command, a wise maxim;
Unite and guide, a better.
[Ger., Entzwei' und gebiete! Tuchtig Wort,
Verein' und leite! Bess'rer Hort.]

The universal subjugator, the ...

The universal subjugator, the commonplace.
[Ger., Was uns alle bandigt, das Gemeine.]

What one has wished for in you...

What one has wished for in youth, in old age one has in
abundance.
[Ger., Was man in der Jugend wunscht, hat man im Alter die
Fulle.]

But what is your duty? What t...

But what is your duty? What the day demands.
[Ger., Was aber ist deine Pflicht? Die Forderung des Tages.]

There was a king of Thule,

There was a king of Thule,
Was faithful till the grave,
To whom his mistress dying,
A golden goblet gave.
[Ger., Es war ein Konig in Tule
Gar treu bis an das Grab,
Dem sterbend seine Buhle
Einen gold'nen Becher gab.]

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 03.03.2018 03:03:03 2265 quotes

A noble soul alone can noble s...

A noble soul alone can noble souls attract;
And knows alone, as ye, to hold them.
[Ger., Ein edler Mensch zieht edle Menschen an,
Und weiss sie fest zu halten, wie ihr thut.]

Neither art thou the man to ca...

Neither art thou the man to catch the fiend and hold him!
[Ger., Du bist noch nicht der Mann den Teufel festzuhalten.]

Power is neither male nor fema...

Power is neither male nor female.

Yet through delivery orators s...

Yet through delivery orators succeed,
I feel that I am far behind indeed.
[Ger., Allein der Vortrag macht des Redners Gluck,
Ich fuhl es wohl noch bin ich weit zuruck.]

With little art, clear wit and...

With little art, clear wit and sense
Suggest their own delivery.
[Ger., Es tragt Verstand und rechter Sinn,
Mit wenig Kunst sich selber vor.]

Who is the happiest of men? H...

Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others,
And in their pleasure takes joy, even as though t'were his own.