Goethe's most famous quotes
The top 3 according to 32 votes from people: So that was the poodle's core! · Who rides so late through night and wind? It is the father with his child. · Grey, dear friend, is all theory, and green the golden tree of life.. (Updated Nov 11, 2022.)
Goethe lines that became household phrases, with the work they come from, mostly Faust. Only documented quotes: the popular «Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it» is not his.
Automatically translated (original in Deutsch). See the original
Top 15
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1
So that was the poodle's core!
Faust, Part One, when the poodle turns into Mephistopheles; it now means «so that's the heart of the matter».
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2
Who rides so late through night and wind? It is the father with his child.
The ballad «The Erl-King» (1782).
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3
Grey, dear friend, is all theory, and green the golden tree of life.
Mephistopheles to the student in Faust, Part One.
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4
Over all the hilltops is peace.
«Wanderer's Nightsong» (1780), written in pencil on the wall of a hut on the Kickelhahn.
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5
Here I stand, poor fool, and I'm no wiser than before.
Faust in Faust, Part One (1808), scene «Night».
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6
That I may know what holds the world together at its core.
Faust, Part One, scene «Night».
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7
Do you know the land where the lemon trees bloom?
Mignon's song in «Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship» (1795), about Italy.
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8
Two souls, alas, dwell within my breast.
Faust, Part One, scene «Outside the City Gate».
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9
I am the spirit that always denies!
Mephistopheles introducing himself in Faust, Part One.
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10
If ever I say to the passing moment: «Linger on, you are so fair!»
The pact between Faust and Mephistopheles in Faust, Part One.
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11
Man errs as long as he strives.
The Lord in the «Prologue in Heaven» of Faust, Part One.
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12
Whoever strives with all his might, him we can redeem.
The angels in Faust, Part Two (1832).
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13
Let man be noble, helpful and good!
The poem «The Divine» (1783).
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14
The spirits that I summoned, I now cannot get rid of.
The ballad «The Sorcerer's Apprentice» (1797).
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15
The eternal feminine draws us on high.
The last line of Faust, Part Two (1832).
Candidates
They don't make it into the top 15… yet. Vote for them to move them up.
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16
Here I sit, shaping people in my image.
From the hymn “Prometheus” (1774, printed 1785).
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17
A name is sound and smoke.
Faust to Gretchen in Faust, Part One.
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18
More light!
His last words on 22 March 1832, as traditionally reported.
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Comments (2)
«Die ich rief, die Geister...» passt auf so viele Situationen im Büro 😂
Endlich eine Goethe-Liste ohne erfundene Kalenderspruch-Zitate. Danke!