Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Learning Quotations

I've studied now Philosophy and Jurisprudence, Medicine -- and even, alas! Theology -- from end to end with labor keen; and here, poor fool with all my lore I stand, no wiser than before.

A man doesn't learn to understand anything unless he loves it.

A man must cling to the belief that the incomprehensible is comprehensible; otherwise he would not try to fathom it.

In the end we retain from our studies only that which we practically apply.

The close and thoughtful observer more and more learns to recognize his limitations. He realizes that with the steady growth of knowledge more and more new problems keep on emerging.

Only learn to seize good fortune, for good fortune's always here.

What we do not understand we do not possess.

Each has his own happiness in his hands, as the artist handles the rude clay he seeks to reshape it into a figure; yet it is the same with this art as with all others: only the capacity for it is innate; the art itself must be learned and painstakingly practiced.

I can tell you, honest friend, what to believe: believe life; it teaches better that book or orator.

No one has ever learned fully to know themselves.

Everywhere, we learn only from those whom we love.

By seeking and blundering we learn.