Johann Goethe: Inherit Earned

Meaning of Johann Von Goethe Money Quote: saying those receiving an inheritance must first earn it from their father. Johann Von Goethe said:

 

 

“What you inherit from your father must first be earned before it’s yours” — Johann Von Goethe

In this quote, Johann Von Goethe seems to be saying that anything inherited from one’s father, such as wealth, property, social status or other advantages, must be legitimately earned or deserved in one’s own right before truly belonging to or being owned by the inheritor.

Goethe appears to mean that simply receiving something from a father does not make it rightfully one’s own – the inheritor must prove themselves worthy of and deserving toward what was passed down, through their own merits, efforts and qualifications.

The quote conveys the idea that inheritance does not equate to automatic possession or entitlement; what is inherited still needs to be rightfully gained through personal achievement and character before it can truly be said to belong to the heir.

Birthday: August 28, 1749 – Death: March 22, 1832

Goethe: Ugliness Nullified by Money

Goethe Money Quote saying our capabilities are vastly extended when we have money to purchase what otherwise would not be possible for us. Goethe said:
 

 

“What I am and am capable of is by no means determined by my individuality. I am ugly, but I can buy for myself the most beautiful of women. Therefore I am not ugly, for the effect of ugliness – its deterrent power – is nullified by money” — Goethe

In this quote, Goethe seems to be commenting on how financial wealth can compensate for or override certain personal shortcomings or attributes. While acknowledging his own physical “ugliness”, Goethe points out that money essentially negates the social effects or disadvantages that ugliness might normally confer, since wealth allows him to attract beautiful romantic partners.

His statement implies that monetary value acts as a substitute form of value when it comes to interpersonal attraction and relationships. Goethe appears to be arguing that a person’s inherent qualities alone do not fully determine their capabilities or social standing, as economic power provides alternate means of overcoming limitations that might stem from other aspects like physical appearance.

Birthday: August 28, 1749 – Death: March 22, 1832

Goethe: Possessing Power of Money

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Money Quote saying those who have money also have that which it can buy – which makes the owner of the funds, the owner of those properties they could potentially purchase. Goethe said:
 

 

“That which is for me through the medium of money – that for which I can pay (i.e., which money can buy) – that am I myself, the possessor of the money. The extent of the power of money is the extent of my power. Money’s properties are my – the possessor’s – properties and essential powers — Goethe

In this quote, Goethe seems to be saying that one’s identity and capabilities are strongly tied to their possession and use of money. He suggests that what a person can access, obtain or achieve through the medium of money represents who they are as an individual.

Goethe also states that the power conferred by money extends directly to the power of the person who holds it. His view appears to be that money essentially bestows its properties and abilities upon its owner.

So Goethe characterizes wealth as not just a tool, but a determinant and expression of personal identity, potential and influence according to how much monetary value and purchasing power one has at their disposal.

Birthday: August 28, 1749 – Death: March 22, 1832

Goethe on Running Out of Cash

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Money Quotation saying we often don’t care that our cash is running out until is is almost gone and think nothing of time until it runs out. Goethe said:
 

 

“Many people take no care of their money till they come nearly to the end of it, and others do just the same with their time” — Goethe

In this quote, Goethe seems to be drawing a parallel between how some people manage their finances and how they handle their time. He appears to be suggesting that just as some individuals do not budget or properly prioritize how they spend their money until they have very little left, others similarly waste or fail to fully value their time until very little remains.

Goethe’s quote implies that being prudent and intentional about allocating both money and time is important, rather than taking either resource for granted until one is nearly out. He seems to be advising people to carefully plan and invest both their financial and temporal resources from the beginning to get the most benefit and satisfaction from each limited commodity over their lifetime.

Birthday: August 28, 1749 – Death: March 22, 1832