Johann von Goethe

“Happy the man who early learns the wide chasm that lies between his wishes and his powers.”

“Life belongs to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for changes.”

“We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise we harden.”

“Beware of dissipating your powers; strive constantly to concentrate them.”

“The man with insight enough to admit his limitations comes nearest to perfection.”

“What you can do, or dream you can do, begin it; boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”

“Nature reacts not only to physical disease, but also to moral weakness; when the danger increases, she gives us greater courage.”

“Energy will do anything that can be done in this world.”

“It is better to be deceived by one's friends than to deceive them.”

“Go to the place where the thing you wish to know is native; your best teacher is there. ... You acquire a language most readily in the country where it is spoken, you study mineralogy best a...”

“If you miss the first buttonhole, you will not succeed in buttoning up your coat.”

“Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do.”

“To think is easy. To act is difficult. To act as one thinks is the most difficult of all.”

“A useless life is an early death.”

“It is in self-limitation that a master first shows himself.”

“Let us live, while we are alive!”

“Life's objective is life itself.”

“Even the lowliest, provided he is whole, can be happy, and in his own . way, perfect.”

“Nine requisites for contented living: Health enough to make work a pleasure. Wealth enough to support your needs. Strength to battle with difficulties and overcome them. Grace enough to conf...”

“He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.”