Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Cursed Mammon be, when he with treasures
To restless action spurs our fate!
Cursed when for soft, read more

Cursed Mammon be, when he with treasures
To restless action spurs our fate!
Cursed when for soft, indulgent leisures,
He lays for us the pillows straight.

No, no! The devil is an egotist,
And is not apt, without why or wherefore,
"For God's read more

No, no! The devil is an egotist,
And is not apt, without why or wherefore,
"For God's sake," others to assist.
[Ger., Nein, nein! Der Teufel ist ein Egoist
Und thut nicht leicht um Gottes Willen,
Was einem Andern nutzlich ist.]

God could cause us considerable embarrassment by revealing all the secrets of nature to us: we should not know what read more

God could cause us considerable embarrassment by revealing all the secrets of nature to us: we should not know what to do for sheer apathy and boredom.

Everyone hears only what he understands.

Everyone hears only what he understands.

A noble soul alone can noble souls attract;
And knows alone, as ye, to hold them.
[Ger., read more

A noble soul alone can noble souls attract;
And knows alone, as ye, to hold them.
[Ger., Ein edler Mensch zieht edle Menschen an,
Und weiss sie fest zu halten, wie ihr thut.]