Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Action Quotations

Thought expands, but paralyzes; action animates, but narrows.

Conscience is the virtue of the observers not the agents of action

Mannerism always wants to be finished and doesn't enjoy the process. Genuine, truly great talent, however, finds its greatest satisfaction in the production.

The safest thing is always to try to convert everything that is in us and around us into action; let the others talk and argue about it as they please.

The one who acts is always without conscience; nobody has a conscience but the contemplative person.

There are but few who have ideas and are, at the same time, capable of action. Ideas enlarge but stymie, action enlivens but confines.

There are few who have at once thought and capacity for action. Thought expands, but lames; action animates, but narrows.

Literature is a fragment of a fragment. Of all that ever happened, or has been said, but a fraction has been written; and of this but little is extant.

To be active is the primary vocation of man.

When all is said the greatest action is to limit and isolate one's self.

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.

Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace and power in it.

Man supposes that he directs his life and governs his actions, when his existence is irretrievably under the control of destiny

English plays, Atrocious in content, Absurd in form, Objectionable in action, Execrable EnglishTheatre.

The highest cannot be spoken; it can only be acted.

How can we know ourselves? Never by reflection, but only through action. Begin at once to do your duty and immediately you will know what is inside you.

When I consider the narrow limits within which our active and inquiring faculties are confined; when I see how all our energies are wasted in providing for mere necessities, which again have no further end than to prolong a wretched existence; and then that all our satisfaction concerning certain subjects of investigation ends in nothing better than a passive resignation... when I consider all this... I am silent.

Self knowledge is best learned not by contemplation, but by action.

How shall we learn to know ourselves? By reflection? Never; but only through action. Strive to do thy duty; then you shall know what is in thee.

How can one learn to know oneself? Never by introspection, rather by action.

Every need whose true satisfaction is denied leads by necessity to faith.

Words are good, but there is something better. The best is not to be explained by words. The spirit in which we act is the chief matter. Action can only be understood and represented by the spirit.

Mankind? That is an abstraction. There have always been and always will be only individuals.