Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The work of art may have a moral effect, but to demand moral purpose from the artist is to make read more

The work of art may have a moral effect, but to demand moral purpose from the artist is to make him ruin his work

He who serves the public is a poor animal; he worries himself to
death and no one thanks him read more

He who serves the public is a poor animal; he worries himself to
death and no one thanks him for it.
[Ger., Wer dem Publicum dient, ist ein armes Thier;
Er qualt sich ab, niemand bedankt sich dafur.]

He who is firm in will molds the world to himself.
[Ger., Aber wer fest auf dem Sinne beharrt, read more

He who is firm in will molds the world to himself.
[Ger., Aber wer fest auf dem Sinne beharrt, der bildet die Welt
sich.]

I wish the crowd to feel itself well treated,
Especially since it lives and lets me live.
read more

I wish the crowd to feel itself well treated,
Especially since it lives and lets me live.
[Ger., Ich wunschte sehr, der Menge zu behagen,
Besonders weil sie lebt und leben lasst.]

By nature we have no defect that could not become a strength, no strength that could not become a defect

By nature we have no defect that could not become a strength, no strength that could not become a defect