goethe-actions

We should try in vain to describe a man’s character, but let his acts be collected and an idea of the character will be presented to us.

“Sir, I admit your gen’ral rule
That every poet is a fool:
But you yourself may serve to show it,
That every fool is not a poet.”

Alexander Pope | Epigram after the French of Scévole de Sainte-Marthe