Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749-1832. Germany's national poet. Their Shakespeare, if you will. As…read morewell, a philosopher and scientist, publishing treatises on botany, anatomy and color. Of course, his most famous work was the two-part poetic drama Faust.
Here in Frankfurt is a huge statue of the man and the nearby street and plaza are named for him.
A Frankfurt native, he was quite the literary celebrity in his day. More than 10,000 letters and 3,000 sketches exist of his works to this day.
Some of his quotes...
"He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home."
"The way you see people is the way you treat them, and the way you treat them is what they become."
"We know accurately only what we know little, with knowledge doubt increases."
"If you wish to know the mind of a man, listen to his words."
And of course, "Divide and rule, the politician cries; unite and lead, is the watchword of the wise."
A very smart man.
