Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Biography
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born in 1749 in Frankfurt. From 1765 to 1771 he studied law in Leibzig and Strasbourg on request of his father. During his time at university he already earned recognition with his poems and lyric. When he returned to Frankfurt he practised law and worked on his career as a poet and writer. In 1773 the Götz von Berlichingen mit der eisenen Hand was published, making Goethe a main representative for the Sturm und Drang movement. Getting a lot of attention and recognition by the literature world, Goethe is invited to Weimar, where he took over many different political offices, but still managed to concentrate on writing. Beside his literature ambitions, he was also very interested in science, which was more important to him, than his writing. From 1786 to 1790 he travelled through Italy where he undertook more scientific researches. In 1794 he befriends Friedrich Schiller with whom he developed a new style of writing, which is now know as it's own literature epoch, the Weimarer Klassik.
In 1908 Goethe finished Faust, between 1811-14 he wrote his autobiography and in 1831 he finished Faust 2, which got published posthumously. Goethe used and explored many different styles in literature and turned out to be an important personality to the world of literature.
THE LEGEND OF THE HORSESHOE. by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
WHAT time our Lord still walk'd the earth,
Unknown, despised, of humble birth,
And on Him many a youth attended
(His words they seldom comprehended),
It ever seem'd to Him most meet
To hold His court in open street,
As under heaven's broad canopy
One speaks with greater liberty.
The teachings of His blessed word
From out His holy mouth were heard;
Each market to a fane turn'd He
With parable and simile.
One day, as tow'rd a town He roved,
In peace of mind with those He loved,
Upon the path a something gleam'd;
A broken horseshoe 'twas, it seem'd.
So to St. Peter thus He spake:
"That piece of iron prythee take!"
St. Peter's thoughts had gone astray,--
He had been musing on his way
Respecting the world's government,
A dream that always gives content,
For in the head 'tis check'd by nought;
This ever was his dearest thought,
For him this prize was far too mean
Had it a crown and sceptre been!
But, surely, 'twasn't worth the trouble
For half a horseshoe to bend double!
And so he turn'd away his head,
As if he heard not what was said,
The Lord, forbearing tow'rd all men,
Himself pick'd up the horseshoe then
(He ne'er again like this stoop'd down).
And when at length they reach'd the town,
Before a smithy He remain'd,
And there a penny for 't obtain'd.
As they the market-place went by,
Some beauteous cherries caught His eye:
Accordingly He bought as many
As could be purchased for a penny,
And then, as oft His wont had been,
Placed them within His sleeve unseen.
They went out by another gate,
O'er plains and fields proceeding straight,
No house or tree was near the spot,
The sun was bright, the day was hot;
In short, the weather being such,
A draught of water was worth much.
The Lord walk'd on before them all,
And let, unseen, a cherry fall.
St. Peter rush'd to seize it hold,
As though an apple 'twere of gold;
His palate much approv'd the berry;
The Lord ere long another cherry
Once more let fall upon the plain;
St. Peter forthwith stoop'd again.
The Lord kept making him thus bend
To pick up cherries without end.
For a long time the thing went on;
The Lord then said, in cheerful tone:
"Had'st thou but moved when thou wert bid,
Thou of this trouble had'st been rid;
The man who small things scorns, will next,
By things still smaller be perplex'd."
1797.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Quotes
"A clever man commits no minor blunders."
"A correct answer is like an affectionate kiss."
"A creation of importance can only be produced when its author isolates himself, it is a child of solitude."
"A man's manners are a mirror in which he shows his portrait."
"A noble person attracts noble people, and knows how to hold on to them."
"A person hears only what they understand."
"A person places themselves on a level with the ones they praise."
"A purpose you impart is no longer your own."
"A really great talent finds its happiness in execution."
"A useless life is an early death."
"Age merely shows what children we remain."
"Alas! sorrow from happiness is oft evolved."
"All intelligent thoughts have already been thought; what is necessary is only to try to think them again."
"All the knowledge I possess everyone else can acquire, but my heart is all my own."
"All theory, dear friend, is gray, but the golden tree of life springs ever green."
"All things are only transitory."
"An unused life is an early death."
"As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live."
"Be above it! Make the world serve your purpose, but do not serve it."
"Be generous with kindly words, especially about those who are absent."
"Beauty is a manifestation of secret natural laws, which otherwise would have been hidden from us forever."
"Beauty is everywhere a welcome guest."
"Behavior is the mirror in which everyone shows their image."
"Being brilliant is no great feat if you respect nothing."
"Certain defects are necessary for the existence of individuality."
"Certain flaws are necessary for the whole. It would seem strange if old friends lacked certain quirks."
"Character develops itself in the stream of life."
