Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

As all Nature's thousands changes
But one changeless God proclaim;
So in Art's wide kingdom ranges
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As all Nature's thousands changes
But one changeless God proclaim;
So in Art's wide kingdom ranges
One sole meaning still the same:
This is Truth, eternal Reason,
Which from Beauty takes its dress,
And serene through time and season
Stands aye in loveliness.

I am the Spirit that denies.
[Ger., Ich bin der Geist stets verneint.]

I am the Spirit that denies.
[Ger., Ich bin der Geist stets verneint.]

Everything in the world may be endured, except only a succession
of prosperous days.
[Ger., Alles in der read more

Everything in the world may be endured, except only a succession
of prosperous days.
[Ger., Alles in der Welt lasst sich ertragen,
Nur nicht eine Reihe von schonen Tagen.]

The mortal race is far too weak not to grow dizzy on unwonted
brights.
[Ger., Das sterbliche Geschlecht read more

The mortal race is far too weak not to grow dizzy on unwonted
brights.
[Ger., Das sterbliche Geschlecht ist viel zu schwach
In ungewohnter Hohe nicht zu schwindeln.]

When things are bad, we take comfort in the thought that they could always be worse. And when they are, read more

When things are bad, we take comfort in the thought that they could always be worse. And when they are, we find hope in the thought that things are so bad they have to get better.