• Goethe Quotations
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Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotations

Introduction

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)

The poet, novelist and playwright Goethe (1749-1832) is claimed to be the greatest of all German writers. He was also an actor, administrator, scientist, geologist, botanist and philosopher. He has influenced many writers and thinkers. Goethe's most famous work is a long play called Faust.

1. The lot is transitory

The birds are asleep in the trees:
Wait; soon like these
You too will rest.

- Goethe

2. Be very happy

Correction does much, but encouragement does more. - Goethe

One can be very happy without demanding . . . - Goethe

3. You are someone

Before you can do something you must first be something. - Goethe

Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men. - Goethe

Truly wise thoughts . . . to make them truly ours, we must think them over again honestly, till they take root in our personal experience. - Goethe

He who enjoys doing and enjoys what he has done is happy. - Goethe

4. Savoury wishes count too

It is not enough to have knowledge, one must also apply it. It is not enough to have wishes, one must also accomplish .- Goethe

So

Wait well and get happy through well applied knowledge.

~ೞ⬯ೞ~

Goethe Art

Heideröslein

Worte: Goethe, weise: Heinrich Werner.

Sah ein Knab' ein Röslein stehn,
Röslein auf der Heiden,
war so jung und morgenschön,
lief er schnell, es nah' zu sehn,
sah's mit vielen Freuden.

Röslein, Röslein, Röslein rot,
Röslein auf der Heiden.

Knabe sprach: Ich breche dich,
Röslein auf der Heiden!
Röslein sprach: Ich steche dich,
dass du ewig denkst an mich,
und ich wills nicht leiden!

Röslein, Röslein, Röslein rot,
Röslein auf der Heiden.

Und der wilde Knabe brach 's
Röslein auf der Heiden;
Röslein wehrte sich und stach,
half ihm doch kein Weh und Ach,
musst' es eben leiden.

Röslein, Röslein, Röslein rot,
Röslein auf der Heiden.

Literal Translation

A boy saw a little rose standing,
A little rose on the heath,
It was so young and morning-pretty,
he ran fast to see it up close,
saw it with great joy (many joys).
Little rose, little rose, little red rose,
little rose on the heath.

Said the boy, I'll pick you,
Wild rose on the hearth!
Said the wild rose: I'll prick you,
so that you'll always think of me
and I won't suffer.
Little rose, little rose, little red rose,
little rose on the heath.

And the wild boy picked
the little rose on the heath;
the rose protected itself and pricked,
ouchs and oohs did not help him,
he just had to suffer.
Little rose, little rose, little red rose,
little rose on the heath.