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Meaning
This reads as a quiet claim that personal writing outlives speech, because it preserves a person’s mind, tone, and relationships in a way memory cannot. It can be taken to mean that letters become a trace of character, especially in moments of parting, distance, or loss, when what remains is not presence but the record of it.
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Original Language & Translation
Originally said in English.
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About Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
German polymath
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a German polymath, and one of the central figures of German literature. He is widely regarded as the most influential writer in the German language. Goethe worked as a poet, playwright, novelist, scientist, statesman, theatre director, and critic. His writing ranged from plays, poetry, and aesthetic criticism to treatises on botany, anatomy, and colour, and his influence extended across literature, politics, Christian thought, and philosophy in the Western world from the late 18th century onward.
More from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (304 quotes) →Other sayings from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
- “God knows I often retire to my bed wishing (at times even hoping) that I might never wake up; and in the morn…”Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
- “Life belongs to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for changes.”Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
- “It is in self-limitation that a master first shows himself.”Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
- “He who possesses art and science has religion; he who does not possess them, needs religion.”Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Explore Letters
- “We had a great time hanging out with the nerdy girls of that suite and pretending to be so depressed and in p…”Marc Crepeaux
- “There are a limited number of letters in the alphabet. AFL? Nope, taken. BFL? Eh, doesn't sound very good. CF…”Oliver Luck
- “I've written immense love letters that are supposed to be opened over days at a time.”Cary Fukunaga
READ THE SOURCE
Books by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Faust
2007
Die Wahlverwandtschaften. Ein Roman
1999
Italienische Reise
2007
The Metamorphosis of Plants
2009