# Quote — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Maxims and Reflections

> Truth is contrary to our nature, not so error, and this for a very simple reason; truth demands that we should recognize ourselves as limited, error flatters us that, in one way or another, we are unlimited.

- Author: [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe.md)
- Book: [Maxims and Reflections](https://www.leafyquotes.com/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/maxims-and-reflections.md)
- Original (de): Die Wahrheit widerspricht unserer Natur, der Irrthum nicht, und zwar aus einem sehr einfachen Grunde: die Wahrheit fordert, daß wir uns für beschränkt erkennen sollen, der Irrthum schmeichelt uns. wir seien auf ein- oder die andere Weise unbegrenzt.
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Johann_Wolfgang_von_Goethe#Maxims_and_Reflections_(1833)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/maxims-and-reflections/truth-is-contrary

## More from this book

> What is Classical is healthy; what is Romantic is sick.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/maxims-and-reflections/what-is-classical.md)

> The person engaged in action is always unconscionable; no one except the contemplative has a conscience.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/maxims-and-reflections/the-person-engaged.md)

> Everything is simpler than one can imagine, at the same time more involved than can be comprehended.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/maxims-and-reflections/everything-is-simpler.md)