Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
(28 August 1749 – 22 March 1832) was a German poet, playwright, novelist, scientist, statesman, theatre director, and critic. His works include plays, poetry, literature, and aesthetic criticism, as well as treatises on botany, anatomy, and colour. He is widely regarded as the greatest and most influential writer in the German language, his work having a profound and wide-ranging influence on Western literary, political, and philosophical thought from the late 18th century to the present day.
One becomes older in order to become kinder; there is no mistake which I have not already made.
A person understands himself not through thoughts, but with actions. It is only through making an effort that a person will understand his worth.
Nature does not stop in its development, and it executes all kinds of idleness.
Real virtue never looks back on its shadow, fame.
When we treat our neighbors as they deserve to be treated, we make them even worse; when we treat them as if they were who we wish they were, we improve them.
Perfection is of God. To wish for perfection is of man.
