Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes

Moderation is the inseparable companion of wisdom, but with it genius has not even a nodding acquaintance.

The hardest thing is to take less when you can get more.

Some Italians are geniuses, but you have to find a balance.

Talent perceives differences; genius, unity.

Genius is rarely able to give any account of its own processes.

Notable talents are not necessarily connected with discretion.

It is the sign of a great mind to dislike greatness, and to prefer things in measure to things in excess.

A wise man sees as much as he ought, not as much as he can.

Mediocrity can talk, but it is for genius to observe.

There are limits beyond which your folly will not carry you.

A genius is someone with the ability to come up with ideas that are new, surprising and valuable.

Talent jogs to conclusions to which Genius takes giant leaps.

Curb your talent lest it speed where virtue does not guide.

You know, one of the classics when somebody invents something, you go why the hell didn't I think of that.

Talent is full of thoughts, Genius is thought. Talent is a cistern, Genius a fountain.

Genius is only a superior power of seeing.

No one was ever great without some portion of divine inspiration.

To be content with little is hard; to be content with much, impossible.

The more original a discovery, the more obvious it seems afterwards.

The true way to gain much, is never to desire to gain too much.

Common sense is the genius of humanity.

You don't try to do more than you should.

Every man is a damn fool for at least five minutes every day; wisdom consists in not exceeding the limit.

To act wisely when the time for action comes, to wait patiently when it is time for repose, put man in accord with the tides. Ignorance of this law results in periods of unreasoning enthusiasm on the one hand, and depression on the other.

In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth.