Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Spirit Quotations

The artist alone sees spirits. But after he has told of their appearing to him, everybody sees them.

Whatever liberates our spirit without giving us self-control is disastrous.

The world is so empty if one thinks only of mountains, rivers and cities; but to know someone here and there who thinks and feels with us, and though distant, is close to us in spirit - this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden

Words are good, but there is something better. The best is not to be explained by words. The spirit in which we act is the chief matter. Action can only be understood and represented by the spirit.

What a mighty spirit in a narrow bosom. [Ger., Welch' hoher Geist in einer engen Brust.]

So much has already been said about Shakespeare that there doesn't seem to be anything more to say; yet it is the quality of the spirit that it forever stimulates the spirit.

We who didn't inherit political power nor are made to acquire riches like nothing better than that which expands and solidifies the power of the spirit.

Everything that frees our spirit without giving us control of ourselves is ruinous.

Ah! my poor brain is racked and crazed, My spirit and senses amazed!

What dazzles, for the moment spends its spirit; Whats genuine, shall posterity inherit.

I am the Spirit that denies.

I am the spirit that negates. And rightly so, for all that comes to be Deserves to perish wretchedly; 'Twere better nothing would begin. Thus everything that that your terms, sin, Destruction, evil represent— That is my proper element.

The spirit from which we act is the principal matter.