Towards the end of chapter XXIV from Volume X of Will & Ariel Durant's Story of Civilization - a chapter centered on the German poet, playwright, novelist and thinker Goethe - comes a dearth of quotes that immediately resonate with me. I will cite just two, both of which quote Goethe himself:
"Never mind studying contemporaries and those who strive with you; study the great men of the past, whose works maintained their value and stature for centuries. A truly gifted man will naturally so incline, and the desire to delve into the great precursors is the very mark of a higher endowment."
"Contemplating a library, one feels as though in the presence of vast capital silently yielding incalculable interest."
No wonder I love the Durant's work so dearly. It's rich with such nuggets.
And now I need to read more on Goethe himself. I've added a biography to my queue.
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