One doesn't always lose when one has to do without.

(Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749-1832), German poet, dramatist. Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship, bk. VII, ch. 3 (1795-1796).)

Every day one should at least listen to a little song, read a good poem, look at a fine painting, and, if possible, say a few reasonable words.

(Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749-1832), German poet, dramatist. Serlo, in Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship, bk. V, ch. 1 (1795-1796).)

If the artist is not also a craftsman, the artist is nothing, but calamity: most of our artists are nothing but craftsmen.

(Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749-1832), German poet, dramatist. Letter, September 21, 1771, to Johann Gottfried R?derer.)

Are we not also married to conscience which we would love to get rid of often enough since it is more bothersome than a man or a woman ever could become?

(Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749-1832), German poet, dramatist. the marriage counselor, in Elective Affinities, bk. I, ch. 9 (1809).)

There is no way to face the great advantages of another person than through love.

(Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749-1832), German poet, dramatist. Elective Affinities, bk. II, ch. 5, from Ottilie's Diary (1809).)

When married one has to get into an argument once in a while since in this way one learns about the other.

(Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749-1832), German poet, dramatist. Eduard, in Elective Affinities, bk. I, ch. 2 (1809).)

Nature is so perfect that the Trinity couldn't have fashioned her any more perfect. She is an organ on which our Lord plays and the devil works the bellows.

(Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749-1832), German poet, dramatist. Conversation with Sulpiz Boisser?e (September 8, 1815).)

How can one learn to know oneself? Never by introspection, rather by action. Try to do your duty, and you will know right away what you are like.

(Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749-1832), German poet, dramatist. Wilhelm Meister's Travels, Reflections in the Spirit of the Travellers (1829).)

Idea and experience will never coincide in the center; only through art and action are they united.

(Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749-1832), German poet, dramatist. Letter, January 28, 1816, to Arthur Schopenhauer.)

We who didn't inherit political power nor are made to acquire riches like nothing better than that which expands and solidifies the power of the spirit.

(Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749-1832), German poet, dramatist. Letter, June 17, 1784, to Charlotte von Stein.)