I was first introduced to Goethe, the German writer, when I was in Germany last year.

Every German I met seemed to mention him (and poet Schiller) in daily conversations so I thought it was high time I got with the program and learned more about him. I set off to see Goethe House as my first stop in Frankfurt and even made a short video about the experience which you can see below. If you’re ever in Frankfurt, a trip to Goethe House is a MUST.

(I also visited the Museum of Modern Literature (brilliant) on the outskirts of a quaint medieval town of Marbuch to balance things out too to learn about Schiller too. His Geburtshaus is there and worth a visit. It’s also the site of the ultra new Tobias Mayer Museum (mathematician and if you love seeing a collection of antique navigational equipment then go there but just be aware that there was NO english anywhere at these sites). If you ever get a chance to go to this neck of the woods when you’re in Germany, do so). Here’s a quick tour of these places if you want to see what I saw.

Anyway, we’re talking about Goethe today, not Schiller…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBAbRhV5xEI&t=7s

I bought Geothe’s Maxims and Reflections some time ago and recently I finished reading it. Like Marcus Aurelias’ Meditations, it’s not a book that you can read in one or two sittings. You have to pick it up over a long period of time, read some of it, stop and ponder about what you’re reading, then decide if you agree – or don’t agree with it.

What struck me about Goethe House when I was there was that, there’s no doubt about it, he grew up in a home that was filled with art, literature, musical, game pursuits. Obviously he came from a wealthy background as seen by the amount of books in the library – but also these huge ornately designed ceramic (what looked to me as fireplaces) but what were central heating of the time in every room.

Rather than write here how I found the book, I may as well link to my book review of Goethe instead. I found most of his maxims and reflections pretty spot on but others well, meh. Maybe over the years, they had dated somewhat.

I went through the book and circled some of my favourite maxims and reflections and here they are:

1. To communicate is natural; to accept what is communicated is an acquired art (lesson: don’t believe the bullshitter influencers)
2. No one would talk much in company if he realised how often he himself misunderstands others (Lesson: when people get angry with you, you haven’t understood them).
3. The reason, maybe, for our altered account of what others have said is our own failure to understand them (See above – this was a “oops” moment for me as I recollect all those embarrassing situations where I totally misunderstood the intent of others).
4. Every spoken work evokes its contrary meaning. (This was one I was a bit meh about but if I delve deeply, I do think that people don’t want to offend so in most cases they “pretty up” the statement so that you’re not offended but there’s a deeper significance as to why they’re saying this to you – and as usually, I’m totally clueless to these hidden intentions, usually what happens is (1) followed by (2)
5. The man who understands finds almost everything laughable, the man of reason, practically nothing (Lesson: be the person who understands as I need to laugh more)
6. Our new passions are a genuine phoenix. As the old one burns down, the new one immediately arises out the ashes. (Lesson: These passions are going to kill me. Or my husband. He’s lost track how often I’ve started new things and taken him for a ride with them all).
7. Association with women is the basic element of good manners (Lesson: I wish more men followed this advice. Nothing is more attractive or sexy in a man than him being comfortable around women as his peers because he genuinely likes them).
8. Behaviour is a mirror in which everyone shows his image (is this one of Goethe’s, really?)
9. No one is more slave than the one who thinks he is free without being free (I think of America in this case).
10. In the face of another’s great excellence, the only possible salvation is love (Lesson: Or else you’ll be eaten up by jealousy)
11. One usually considers people more dangerous than they actually are (My thoughts? Nah. I don’t).
12. Fools and intelligent people are equally undamaging. Half fools and half sages are the most dangerous of all (Truth).
13. Even at the most highest bliss and of the highest distress we need the artist. (Lesson: We need artists NOW).
14. I make a mistake and everyone can spot it; I tell a lie and no one knows (Lesson: the whole of the corporate world is running on lies)
15. It is sad to watch an outstandingly talented man battling frantically with himself; his circumstances, his time, without ever managing to go anywhere.” (Lesson: I’m that man aren’t I?)
16. Anyone who doesn’t know foreign languages, knows nothing of his own (Truth)
17. Everyone has some trait in his nature which, openly admitted, might well cause displeasure (Lesson: Keep your mouth shut).
18. Certain minds have to be left to their private illusions (Lesson: Use this line somewhere).
19. He who is afraid of ideas in the end also lacks concepts.
20. Dirt glitters when the sun begins to shine (Lesson: You need to use this line somewhere).
21. It is much easier to recognise error than to find truth; the former lies on the surface, that is quite manageable; the latter resides in depth and this quest is not everyone’s business (Thought: Because we’re so bloody lazy to think).
22. Ingratitude is always a kind of weakness, I have never known competent people to be ungrateful.
23. Among all peoples, the Greeks have dreamt life’s dream most beautifully (that’s why they’re called Hellenes).
24. It is really a person’s mistakes that make him most endearing (Thought: I must be the most endearing person ever!)
25. Mastery is often seen as egoism. (Beware those “thought leaders”)
26. There is nothing more dreadful that active ignorance.
27. The first and last thing demanded of genius is love of truth
28. Experience is something that we can all value, especially the man who is old and has time to think, to reflect; he has the most confident, comfortable feeling that no one can rob him of this.
29. A great failing to see yourself as more than you are and to value yourself at less than your true worth (I need to tattoo this on my forehead or something).
30. If you can read, you should understand; if you can write, you have to know something; if you can believe, you ought to comprehend; if you desire, you will feel an obligation; if you demand, you will not get what you want; and if you are experienced, you ought to make yourself useful.
31. Knowledge is not enough, we have to apply it; wanting it is not enough, there has to be action.