In the beginning was the deed.

What it means

Faust is translating the Gospel of John and rejects word, sense and power before settling on deed. Action comes first. Start doing and the meaning follows.

The source

"In the beginning was the deed." Goethe said it in Faust I, line 1237. Translated from the original German by Spartan Surfers.

"Im Anfang war die Tat"

Original German, Faust I, line 1237. Text read at gutenberg.org.

Who said it

Goethe (1749–1832). German poet, novelist, scientist and statesman, author of Faust. He believed knowing is worthless until it becomes doing.

Questions

What does "In the beginning was the deed." mean?

Faust is translating the Gospel of John and rejects word, sense and power before settling on deed. Action comes first. Start doing and the meaning follows.

Who said "In the beginning was the deed."?

Goethe (1749–1832). Source: Faust I, line 1237.

What is the original German?

Im Anfang war die Tat. Translated from the original German by Spartan Surfers.

Is "In the beginning was the deed." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"In the beginning was the deed." (Goethe, Faust I, line 1237, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/in-the-beginning-was-the-deed