Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

What they're accustomed to is no great matter,
But then, alas! they've read an awful deal.
[Ger., read more

What they're accustomed to is no great matter,
But then, alas! they've read an awful deal.
[Ger., Zwar sind sie an das Beste nicht gewohnt,
Allein sie haben schrecklich viel gelesen.]

Properly speaking, such work is never finished; one must declare
it so when, according to time and circumstances, one read more

Properly speaking, such work is never finished; one must declare
it so when, according to time and circumstances, one has done
one's best.
[Ger., So eine Arbeit wird eigentlich nie fertig; man muss sie
fur fertig erklaren, wenn man nach Zeit und Umstand das
Moglichste getan hat.]

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.]

Divide and command, a wise maxim;
Unite and guide, a better.
[Ger., Entzwei' und gebiete! Tuchtig Wort,
read more

Divide and command, a wise maxim;
Unite and guide, a better.
[Ger., Entzwei' und gebiete! Tuchtig Wort,
Verein' und leite! Bess'rer Hort.]

Without haste, but without rest.

Without haste, but without rest.