The highest happiness, the pur...

The highest happiness, the purest joys of life, wear out at last.
[Ger., Das beste Gluck, des Lebens schonste Kraft
Ermattet endlich.]

As all Nature's thousands chan...

As all Nature's thousands changes
But one changeless God proclaim;
So in Art's wide kingdom ranges
One sole meaning still the same:
This is Truth, eternal Reason,
Which from Beauty takes its dress,
And serene through time and season
Stands aye in loveliness.

Thou shalt abstain,
Ren...

Thou shalt abstain,
Renounce, refrain.
[Ger., Entbehren sollst du! sollst entbehren.]

With little wit and ease to su...

With little wit and ease to suit them,
They whirl in narrow circling trails,
Like kittens playing with their tails.
[Ger., Mit wenig Witz und viel Behagen
Dreht jeder sich im engen Zirkeltanz
Wie junge Katzen mit dem Schwanz.]

Your messages I hear, but fait...

Your messages I hear, but faith has not been given;
The dearest child of Faith is Miracle
[Ger., Die Botschaft hor' ich wohl, allein mir fehlt der Glaube;
Das Wunder ist des Glaubens liebstes Kind.]

No sacred fane requires us to ...

No sacred fane requires us to submit to insult.
[Ger., Kein Heiligthum heisst uns den Schimpf ertragen.]

For a strolling damsel a doubt...

For a strolling damsel a doubtful reputation bears.
[Ger., Denn ein wanderndes Madchen ist immer von schwankendem
Rufe.]

I consider him of no account w...

I consider him of no account who esteems himself just as the
popular breath may chance to raise him.
[Ger., Ich halte nichts von dem, der von sich denkt
Wie ihn das Volk vielleicht erheben mochte.]

Many a man's reputation would ...

Many a man's reputation would not know his character if they met
on the street.

Care is taken that trees do no...

Care is taken that trees do not grow into the sky.
[Ger., Es ist dafur gesorgt, dass die Baume nicht in den Himmel
wachsen.]

A vi'let on the meadow grew,

A vi'let on the meadow grew,
That no one saw, that no one knew,
It was a modest flower.
A shepherdess pass'd by that way--
Light footed, pretty and so gay;
That way she came,
Softly warbling forth her lay.

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

My peace is gone, my heart is ...

My peace is gone, my heart is heavy.
[Ger., Meine Ruh ist hin,
Mein Herz ist schwer.]

Only the heart without a stain...

Only the heart without a stain knows perfect ease.
[Ger., Ganz unbefleckt geniesst sich nur das Herz.]

A wounded heart can with diffi...

A wounded heart can with difficulty be cured.
[Ger., Doch ein gekranktes Herz erholt sich schwer.]

We are never deceived, we dece...

We are never deceived, we deceive ourselves.
[Ger., Man wird betrogen, man betrugt sich selbst.]

He who is firm in will molds t...

He who is firm in will molds the world to himself.
[Ger., Aber wer fest auf dem Sinne beharrt, der bildet die Welt
sich.]

Architecture is frozen music.<...

Architecture is frozen music.
[Ger., Die Backunst ist eine erstarrte Musik.]

What dazzles, for the moment s...

What dazzles, for the moment spends its spirit;
What's genuine, shall posterity inherit.
[Ger., Was glanzt ist fur den Augenblick geboren;
Das Aechte bleibt der Nachwelt unverloren.]

Too rigid scruples are conceal...

Too rigid scruples are concealed pride.
[Ger., Zu strenge Ford'rung ist verborgner Stolz.]

More light!
[Ger., Mehr...

More light!
[Ger., Mehr Licht!]