Know yourself by acting, never by brooding.

What it means

Goethe says you learn who you are by trying to do your duty, not by staring inward. Action reveals character. Do the next right thing and watch what you find.

The source

"Know yourself by acting, never by brooding." Goethe said it in Wilhelm Meister's Journeyman Years, Reflections in the Spirit of the Wanderers. Translated from the original German by Spartan Surfers.

"Wie kann man sich selbst kennen lernen? Durch Betrachten niemals, wohl aber durch Handeln."

Original German, Wilhelm Meister's Journeyman Years, Reflections in the Spirit of the Wanderers. 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 "Know yourself by acting, never by brooding." mean?

Goethe says you learn who you are by trying to do your duty, not by staring inward. Action reveals character. Do the next right thing and watch what you find.

Who said "Know yourself by acting, never by brooding."?

Goethe (1749–1832). Source: Wilhelm Meister's Journeyman Years, Reflections in the Spirit of the Wanderers.

What is the original German?

Wie kann man sich selbst kennen lernen? Durch Betrachten niemals, wohl aber durch Handeln. Translated from the original German by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Know yourself by acting, never by brooding." on a shirt?

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

"Know yourself by acting, never by brooding." (Goethe, Wilhelm Meister's Journeyman Years, Reflections in the Spirit of the Wanderers, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/know-yourself-by-acting-never-by-brooding