Goethe’s Spiritual Side: Not Just Suicide and Soul-Selling
November 13, 2009
When I was in college, I read Goethe’s Faust and The Sorrows of Young Werther. This was pretty much all I knew about the man.
He wrote one story in which a guy sells his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge, and another about a young man who kills himself because of unrequited love. Fun stuff, right?
I remember thinking, “Why the hell do they put this crap on our syllabus?” (I know… I was young.)
It wasn’t until later in life… much, much later, that I learned Goethe’s writings are replete with valuable lessons of self-improvement and inspiration. You don’t believe me?
Here are six pearls of Goethe’s wisdom that I’ve picked up along the way:
1. He only earns his freedom and his life Who takes them every day by storm.
To be honest, I don’t think I ever realized what this meant until I read Josh Hanagarne’s How to have Tourette’s Part 6: Nightmare in the Airport, and watched his video (The Power of a Carrot). It’s one thing to try to make the most of each day, but quite another to do so when each day tries to knock you down with tremendous challenges. Little things I took for granted, like watching a movie in a theater, or standing in line at the airport, present all sorts of complicated variables for Josh. But, does he let that keep him curled up in a ball at home? Not even close. One of his latest mottoes is: “Evolve, don’t crumble.” He’s out conquering the world while some of us just sit around, dreaming about it.
2. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.
I can’t tell you how many amazing money-making, or world-changing ideas I have come up with. I get inspired and then go read everything I can find about my new topic. I dream about it, wish for it, pray for it, sometimes even do a little rain dance… just in case. But guess what? Knowing, wishing and wanting don’t get sh*t done. No matter how much enthusiasm I pour into that super fun phase, NOTHING is going to happen until I start applying what I have learned and doing something… anything. Hard work, perseverance, determination, and patience are the way things get done. Without them, great ideas are worthless.
3. What is uttered from the heart alone, will win the hearts of others to your own.
How do we decide what to apply our hard work and determination to? We need to listen to our hearts. Know who you are. Know what you love. Know which things move your soul to tears of joy. When you share what is in your heart, and pour yourself into it openly and honestly, others will be able to relate and be swept away by your enthusiasm. This matters because, believe it or not, we are all in this together. We need each other to get where we are going. By putting ourselves out there, we attract precisely the right people into our lives who will help us achieve our dreams.
4. Love does not dominate; it cultivates.
Once you have found the song that is in your heart, and work humbly and diligently to share it, doors start to open, and others begin to take notice. At this point you could become a total tyrant and take advantage of everyone around you for your personal gain. Or, you could act from a place of love, and contribute to the lives of others as they contribute to yours. Apply what you have learned, help others grow and become all they can be, plant seeds of progress for future generations… give as you have received.
5. Everybody wants to BE somebody; nobody wants to grow.
We live in an instant-gratification world. Flat abs in 5 minutes a day. Ten Tips to fix any problem you have. How to get rich by the end of the week. Everyone wants to be rich, famous, and beautiful, but no one wants to work for it. More importantly, no one wants to acknowledge the many OTHER ways we can be successful… make a difference in someone’s life, fulfill your potential, lead by example, strive to be a better person. The beauty of life is in the process of getting from where we are to where we are going:
What kind of journey are we going to have?
How will we make the most of each day?
What have we learned, and how are we better for it?
Without these, success is nothing but an empty shell.
6. The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone.
Keep in mind, the path that is guided by love and compassion is the road less traveled. As such, you may find yourself amidst naysayers, doubters, and fear-mongers. The ways of the world can sometimes be “nasty, brutish and short” (if I may borrow a phrase from Hobbes), but you don’t have to go that route. You can choose a higher road, one that is nurturing, generous and kind; although at times it will feel like you are the only one on it.
Stay true to your heart and stay on that path; it is the only road that leads to happiness.
Who knew? The road to happiness starts with Goethe!
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Very cool!
I read Faust in High School, and again in college, and that’s all the exposure I ever had to the man. So, I’m glad to see that there was more to him. These are all excellent pearls of wisdom you have found, but my favorite is “The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone.” That’s just so poetic, you know? It flows off the tongue and out of the mouth easily and effortlessly, yet it says so much.
Thanks for sharing!
Jay Schryer´s last blog ..It’s A Kind of Magic
Can I be honest and say this post didn’t grab me much? Until the end, that is.
I read through it, agreeing with what you said and appreciating the deeper level thoughts you’d garnered from just that one line. Afterwards, though, I was a bit lost in contemplative thought. Guess it did reach further in than I’d estimated.
Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.
Lately this has been high in my thoughts, even being the reason behind my last two blog posts. Funny that I’m seeing it again, here. Think the Universe is trying to make me see something that I’m missing right in front of my face?
Suzanne´s last blog ..I Wish I Could Stop Doing This
Hi, Jay! That was my favorite line too. Maybe I’ll make a bookmark out of it, so I look at it every day and remind myself that seeing the beauty in life doesn’t make us weird, it makes us special. It’s true that most people choose to focus on the negatives… misery loves company, and all that. But I guess I’d rather walk alone than be in miserable company.
The best part is, I don’t have to walk alone, because I’ve met other souls, like you, who see beauty everywhere too!
Hey, Suzanne!
Not only CAN you be honest, but you absolutely SHOULD whenever you are at Q4B. As you probably know by now, I’m not much of a “list” person. This is not really my normal sort of post, primarily, I guess, ’cause it’s not about me or one of my stories.
So, if I may be perfectly honest too… I didn’t want to write it. And when I did, I didn’t want to publish it. But, for some reason, I also couldn’t delete it. There’s something in it (and I still don’t know what that is) that needed to be said… maybe for me, for you, for someone else?
Just this morning I was watching the Will Smith video over at Diggy’s blog and heard this same message you heard… there’s no “trying” or “wishing” or “lamenting that things aren’t otherwise.” If there’s something we want, we just have to DO it (I guess Nike had it right all along!).
Anyway, I really appreciate your honesty because that way I don’t have to pretend this was a comfortable “fit” for me. It’s not. I don’t know why I wrote it. But I did… and here it is… I guess each reader should notice which part stands out for them, and contemplate why that might be.
Or we could just NOT, and say we did.
This is a very good and encouraging post-especially since, for me, Goethe lately seems to be turning up like a bad penny! First as I crawl my way through a book titled A History of Knowledge, then as I was trying to convey an idea to someone and recalled a particular quote of his, and in the process re-acquainting myself with a list of many of his other quotes and aphorism-all great, and now this. In the book, the author notes that Goethe was among several others (Shakespeare, Dante, Montaigne, Cervantes) who found their language inadequate for their expression, and had to reinvent language to suit their ends. Language is essentially a road-map of thought so it doesn’t get more fundamental than that!
Hi Lisis, this is really beautiful. I particularly like 3, 4, and 6. As for the matters of the heart, I’ve seen that work time and again in my life, regardless where I am in my life. If you come from the heart, others really recognize it… even though at times it can be scary. And sometimes “walking alone…” I’ve learned to enjoy that, though when I was younger I sort of thought walking alone was miserable… The Road Less Travelled really changed my outlook on that.
Thanks for sharing this,
Miche
Miche´s last blog ..3 Keys to Emotional Serenity
I just received this as part of a daily email subscription, and thought it was appropriate. Hope this adds to the thread in a meaningful way!
“Not very long ago in Hyderabad there was a mureed, rather an intellectual pupil, and he liked to talk. His teacher was interested in his intelligent inquiries, and so he encouraged him to talk, whereas it is the custom in the East for the pupil to remain silent before his teacher. One day the teacher was in a condition of exaltation and his pupil as usual wanted to discuss and argue, which was not agreeable to the teacher at that time. He said in Persian, ‘Khamosh,’ which means silence. And the pupil became silent; he went home and remained silent. And no one heard him speak after that, no one in the house nor outside; he never spoke anywhere. Years passed by and the man still kept silent. But there came a time when his silence began to speak aloud. His silent thought would manifest and his silent wish would become granted; his silent glance would heal, his silent look would inspire. His silence became living. It was the spoken words, which had kept him dead all this time. The moment the lips were closed the silence in him began to live. His presence was living.”
(Source: http://wahiduddin.net/saki/saki_date.php)
Great post, Lisis, even though it’s a different style for you. #2 resonated with me most. I have been guilty of a lot of knowing and willing without the action or growth to realize any change. I would like to think that lately I have been changing that. Perhaps you needed to write this post as a way of clarifying some things for yourself. Thank you for writing it, even if you don’t know why you did.
Daphne´s last blog ..Patience and Waiting
John… you are amazing. That comment… both your comments are exactly what I needed to hear today. Sometimes it feels like language (or rather my ability to communicate) is totally inadequate. I didn’t realize, nor would I ever have imagined, that these amazing authors felt this way. I would’ve thought written language was their plaything, to do with as their hearts desired. I love the idea of reinventing language to suit your ends. Beautiful.
And the story you shared speaks to the depths of my soul because I spent two years relatively isolated from other adults and came to feel exactly that… I felt like all the chatter and conversation simply serves to distract me from really BEING, from manifesting. I learned to really appreciate silence and solitude… perhaps too much!
Thank you, John… I feel like I basically provided an outline today, a starting point, and I’m counting on my readers to fill in the depth and complexity.
Miche and Daphne, I really appreciate your support and thanks for finding the “pearl” that shines the brightest for each of you. I’m sure this process is helping me understand myself better, but maybe it’s also helping me understand each of YOU better, too!
Thank you for your kinds words! Thank you for doing the work of laying the foundation. I think you’re right, everyone will work together to give shape and energy to this
Hi Lisis,
Goethe rocks! I was an English Lit major in college and one semester, I took a course that just focused on German writers. It was fascinating and Goethe has always been one of my favorites.
As you know, I definitely do travel the road less travelled and it is a lonely road. Not many people are on that path but the ones that are have become dear friends. Life is ironic. Compassion is so vital and important and yet so many people look down at it as being weak. I think (and hope) that is changing. May more and more of us realize that the road less travelled is the ultimate trip!
Love and hugs to you, my dear friend!
Lisis, lisis, lisis………
How do I say how much I love this post. Its lovely and true and true and lovely.
I like so many things about it I don’t know where to begin. Especially liked ‘
3. What is uttered from the heart alone, will win the hearts of others to your own.’.
And also that one must apply what one knows.
This is really beautiful..
God bless u for walking the road less traveled and that has made all the difference
GREAT POST! i love the classics and you made me want to read this. The Bronte sisters also have some great wisdom in their writing. Anne wrote Tenant of Wildfell Hall. It has many good lessons about judging others. Loved it, keep up the great work!
Great pearls of wisdom. I have not read any Goethe, looks like I have some new books to add my Amazon wish list, or I may hunt for them at my local library. Thanks for sharing and inspiring us to read!
Eric | Eden Journal´s last blog ..The Open Mind Test Part 4 – Conclusions, Comments, and a Challenge
“He only earns his freedom and his life Who takes them every day by storm.”
Um, I need to go do some stuff…like NOW!
Hayden Tompkins´s last blog ..Rock the Universe!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by LisisMB, Tracy Brinkmann and Jay Schryer, Ronnie Slade. Ronnie Slade said: Goethe's Spiritual Side: Not Just Suicide and Soul-Selling … http://bit.ly/19YPm7 [...]
@ Nadia: I’m still amazed at some of the classes I took in college. I had one that was entirely about Faust (every version ever written!). One of the more interesting classes, which Ali also took, was “Vamps, Virgins, and Material Girls” (about the roles of women in literature). I have yet to figure out how any of those classes prepared me for Life!
PS: I know you are on this road with me, and I’m so thankful for that!
@ Uzma: Oh, it brought tears to my eyes when I read your comment, partly because I’m glad you liked it, but mostly because it’s great to see you here again. I know you’ve been through so much lately, and I’ve really missed seeing you around. My thoughts remain with you and your family.
@ Chandra: I can hardly believe it but, I’ve never even HEARD of Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Clearly, I’m going to have to pick up a copy and get with the program. What are they teaching us in schools these days?!
@ Eric: Goethe was a pretty amazing and philosophical soul. If you are looking for some other fabulous reads, I know Ian posted a list recently at Quantum Learning with 10 books that blew his mind (and all of them seem awesome!).
@ Hayden: Haha! You’ll have to let me know what kind of fabulous “stuff” you ended up doing! The title of your last post makes it sound like you ARE taking the world by storm. I’m gonna go check that out now…
I liked this post. It reminded me of Yoda “There is no try; only do or do not”. Also there is the reminder that there needs to be a balance between contemplation and action.
English Lit was one of my majors as an undergrad and I loved all of my lit courses. In the great pieces of literature, there is all the wisdom for life right in front of us. Actually, I feel that all of the great works of art in any genre contain a piece of the divine.
lena´s last blog ..Maintaining Creativity in a Mundane World
Hey Lisis,
I loved reading this post, I felt like I was taking a warm bath – steeping in the mist of your knowledge.
I felt myself nodding in agreement and singing right along. I’m glad we’re friends; I count myself lucky to know such a gifted, loving woman.
I am amazed at how many times I’ve gone back to revisit an old book or something from college, and have been shocked at what I missed back then. It’s really quite fun, actually.
Thanks for sharing this. Oh yeah, and Josh is one of favorites. I’m glad you highlighted him here.
Peace,
Lori
Lori´s last blog ..Update No.2: My Writing Experiment
It is funny how our thinking changes as we get older on books, movies, life and your parents. I too find myself rethinking some of my thinking pattern and hopefully for the better.
There is so much to learn from our own past and mankind’s history.
Zengirl´s last blog ..13 ways to be compassionate
@ Lena: I like that… it’s one of the quests I’m on, the quest for balance between contemplation and action. I totally agree with you that all great works of art are an expression of the Divine. And really, the messages we need seem to be weaved into everything around us, if we are paying attention.
@ Lori: Haha! Yeah… the MIST of my knowledge! Little did you know, that’s all there is… mist! You know, for some reason I kept several of the original “classics” I read in college (the smaller ones, that I could pack up and move around with me). At times I’ve gone back and re-read them and thought, “Huh… this was actually a really good book! I wonder if they knew that when they assigned it!” Funny how the same world looks totally different when you’re 10 from how it will look 20 or 30 (or more) years later. It’s like starting all over again!
@ Zengirl: Oh, don’t even remind me of how harshly I judged my parents and every decision they made… until I BECAME a parent. There are some things we just don’t “get” no matter how smart we think we are until we actually LIVE it. When will we learn that our elders are probably right? We need to go back to the way things were, when village elders were respected and cared for, instead of shoved out of the way. They have much to teach us, if we’ll only listen.
Thought I’d add one of my favorite Geothe quotes, which ties in with John’s beautifully.
“We talk far too much. We should talk less and draw more.” — Goethe
Brenda´s last blog ..The Many Wines
@ Brenda: Amen!
Love DOES dominate. there is nothing but love. I would kill myself for love and truth.
Wanting power and other things that lead to it are just traps.
Lisis, I don’t know if you’ve heard that many gurus and spiritual teachers have fallen because not knowing what traps were about to encounter courtesy of not knowing (their teacher didn’t teach them) they’re being too naive and not being aware of the wolf in sheep’s clothing. Many of them don’t have the level of truth they had when they wrote the book/s. It’s a thing you should be aware of and not fall for everything else other than love,peace and truth(if you can tell truth from not truth).
thanks for sharing everything. I wish you peace and love
Hey, Florin… I sure am intrigued by this idea you brought up. I’ve been thinking along similar lines about “gurus” who become highly monetized and their teachings become entire industries. On the one hand, it’s great because their message reaches more people. But, on the other, I find it hard to believe their lives remain true to their original beliefs. I wonder if it’s possible?
Also, your sentence about dying for love and truth was interesting to me because I was just watching a video of Will Smith saying we need to know what we believe in so much that we would die for it. My thought was, I believe every person matters.
Thank you for your comment, and for getting me thinking.
Sweetie,
I can always count on you to get out the inspiration from even the most mundane thing…so why should goethe be any different.
OUr high school minds were so different na…come to think of it…theres a lot we have missed grabbing onto at that time…just cause well we hated it
Its amazing how having an open mind can change our perspectives.
I often like to borrow school text books from my neighbors kids…just to go through and see whats new..and what i have forgotten …
Hey, Z! I was just flipping through my old Schopenhauer book (from college). Amazing how much I have forgotten! It’s one of the things I most enjoy about homeschooling Hunter… I get to re-learn that stuff with the benefit of experience. I have a whole new filter through which to see the world.
I just read this on a friend’s twitter stream:
“The man who views the world at fifty the same as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.” (Muhammad Ali)
Great quotes !
I actually didn’t like Goethe myself in high school, I guess he’s the kind of writer you learn to appreciate as you grow up.
Hey, Carl! I didn’t either… not even in college. Maybe we have to have suffered a few trials and tribulations before we acquire the taste for Goethe!
I am a master of delayed gratification.
Now, I tell people: “Don’t wait. Do whatever it is you want to do before it gets away.”
Because it will slip away.
Dave Doolin´s last blog ..How NOT to Comment on Blogs (Dude, you’re busted)
Dave, that first sentence could be misinterpreted in so many ways (none of them appropriate!). But in the end, I have to agree with your sound advice. Life is too short and uncertain to put everything off for later.
Thanks!