Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Maxims and Reflections (1833) E. Stopp, trans. (Penguin: 1998) #428

Theories usually result from the precipitate reasoning of an impatient mind which would like to be rid of phenomena and replace them with images, concepts, indeed often with mere words.

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe on Theory

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "Theories usually result from the precipitate reasoning of an impatient mind which would like to be rid of phenomena and replace them with images, concepts, indeed often with mere words." in the context of "Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Maxims and Reflections (1833) E. Stopp, trans. (Penguin: 1998) #428" to mean that wisdom is timeless.

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Source: Wikiquote: "Theory" (Quotes: Quotes are arranged in chronological order, 19th century: in chronological order) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

About Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

What you can do, or dream you can, begin it,