Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes

Noble be man, helpful and good!

Virtue is harmony.

Being in humaneness is good. If we select other goodness and thus are far apart from humaneness, how can we be the wise?

The virtue of a human being is the application of his capacity to the general good.

No one can be good for long if goodness is not in demand.

The great instrument of moral good is the imagination.

Don't overestimate the decency of the human race.

You don't need a religious background to strive for something good, for genuine compassion and love for others.

What is the purpose of our might if we do not use it for good.

To be good is noble but to show others how to be good is nobler.

While you live, while it is in your power, be good.

Only those live who do good.

Great hearts alone understand how much glory there is in being good.

I know no other sign of superiority than Goodness.

I have always believed in trying to be a good person and giving to the world, and treating others in a just, kind, merciful way.

Goodness is the only investment that never fails.

Good character consists of recognizing the selfishness that inheres in each of us and trying to balance it against the altruism to which we should all aspire. It is a difficult balance to strike, but no definition of goodness can be complete without it.

Frankly, I'm not religious, but I believe in the cause of humanity - doing good work.

I think it's extremely difficult consistently being a decent human being.

Being good is just a matter of temperament in the end.

Goodness does not more certainly make men happy than happiness makes them good.

General benevolence, but not general friendship, made a man what he ought to be.

The moral law commands us to make the highest possible good in a world the final object of all our conduct.

The true basis of morality is utility; that is, the adaptation of our actions to the promotion of the general welfare and happiness; the endeavour so to rule our lives that we may serve and bless mankind.

Modesty seldom resides in a breast that is not enriched with nobler virtues.