“Man sieht nur das, was man weiß.” You only see what you know!
Goethe is undoubtedly one of the great thinkers, poets and somehow psychoanalysts. In one of his collection of Goethe’s writings, published posthumously in 1833.: “Maximen und Reflexionen” (Maxims and Reflections), he dug into a very corner of human life.
An old man loses one of the most important rights of man: he is no longer judged by his peers. “Der Alte verliert eines der größten Menschenrechte: er wird nicht mehr von seines Gleichen beurteilt.”
There’s nothing worse than ignorance in action. “Es ist nichts schrecklicher als eine tätige Unwissenheit.” via; ThoughtCo.
And here are his four passages to help clear our minds towards life:
In this world, there is no right way;
in vain if you are worthy and wise in vain,
he wants you to be docile and humble!
* * *
I’m part of the part that was everything in the beginning
I am part of the beings that give birth to the light.
* * *
What can your life give you now? Be deprived! Always get robbed!
That is the eternal purpose
ringing in everyone’s ears…
* * *
Are the poor a miracle
amid wonders, they stumble,
what dark, what invisible threshold
tread their lost steps?
Under the light and caress of heaven
I feel the hell near… Hades.
GOETHE, VIER PASSAGEN
In dieser Welt gibt es keinen richtigen Weg;
vergebens, wenn du würdig und weise bist, vergebens,
es möchte, dass du fügsam und demütig bist!
* * *
Ich bin Teil des Teils, der am Anfang alles war
Ich gehöre zu den Wesen, die das Licht gebären.
* * *
Was kann dir dein Leben jetzt geben?
Benachteiligt sein! immer beraubt werden!
Das ist der ewige Zweck
der allen in den Ohren klingt…
* * *
Sind die Armen ein Wunder?
inmitten von Wundern straucheln sie,
Was für eine Dunkelheit, was für eine unsichtbare Schwelle
ihre verlorenen Schritte beschreiten?
Unter dem Licht und der Liebkosung des Himmels
Ich fühle mich verdammt nahe, Hades.
The image on top: File:JW Goethe by GM Kraus 1775 76.jpg – Wikimedia Commons
lampmagician 
💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you ♥ I grew up with Goethe’s thoughts. Did a translation of Der Zauberlehrling some yrs. ago , ever relevant …
LikeLiked by 1 person
I must be sure you have read them in German. It is always lovely to read the original! Thank you, dear Ashen. 🥰🤗🙏💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
German is my mother tongue, a beautiful language.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the final quote in the image. Such a beautiful recognition of our interconnectedness with nature. Thank you for brightening my day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with you. You have a discerning taste! Thank you, dear Diana, for your kind comment; you brightened my day too.🤗🙏💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well shared! There is nothing worse than ignorance! 👌
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said too, my dear wise lady. 😊🙏💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ☺️thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes! He’s a great thinker.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Have We Had Help? and commented:
More philosophy anyone?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Heartfelt Thanks again, dear wise brother.
LikeLike
I really love his Nature quote. For me, it epitomises life and how much it gives. Thank you, Aladin 🙂 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You, my lovely, wise Luciana. You are highly appreciated. 💖🙏🤗
LikeLike