“The first and last thing demanded of genius is love of truth.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Maxims and Reflections (1833), Maxim 382 (translation by Elisabeth Stopp)

About Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

1749 – 1832

German poet and polymath, author of "Faust".

“Youth is intoxication without wine.”

“When we lack ourselves, we lack everything.”

“But what is your duty? What the day demands.”

“I only know we loved in vain; I only feel—farewell! farewell!”

“I know now that Jesus is right, that love is the way.”

“What do you know of Love except the name?”

“I don't know about hope, but I do know about love.”

“One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.”

“Wouldst thou other men know, look thou within thine own heart.”