Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quotes

Must it ever be thus,—that the source of our happiness must also be the fountain of our misery?

A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I treat my poor heart like a sick child, and gratify its every fancy.

The human race is but a monotonous affair.

I examine my own being, and find there a world, but a world rather of imagination and dim desires, than of distinctness and living power. Then everything swims before my senses, and I smile and dream while pursuing my way through the world.

My dear friend, what a thing is the heart of man!

All learned professors and doctors are agreed that children do not comprehend the cause of their desires; but that the grown-up should wander about this earth like children, without knowing whence they come, or whither they go, influenced as little by fixed motives, but guided like them by biscuits, sugar-plums, and the rod,—this is what nobody is willing to acknowledge; and yet I think it is palpable.

My dear friend I promise you I will improve; I will no longer, as has ever been my habit, continue to ruminate on every petty vexation which fortune may dispense; I will enjoy the present, and the past shall be for me the past.

She alone is inexhaustible, and capable of forming the greatest masters.

What a child is man that he should be so solicitous about a look! What a child is man!

Experience teaches us that particular colours excite particular states of feeling.