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The significance of the most harmless words and actions grows with the years, and if I see any one about me for any length of time, I always try to show him the difference there is between sincerity, confidence, and indiscretion; nay, that in truth there is no difference at all, but a gentle transition from what is most innocent to what is most hurtful; a transition which must be perceived or rather felt.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

As little as you can stifle a steam-engine, so little can you do this in the moral sphere either. The activity of commerce, the rush and rustle of paper-money, the swelling-up of debts to pay debts—all these are the monstrous elements to which in these days a young man is exposed. Well is it for him if he is gifted by nature with a sober, quiet temperament; neither to make claims on the world out of all proportion to his position, nor yet let the world determine it.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Reflections; Pondering why we are so fixated on ourselves; self-love, self-centeredness, self-obessession, self-interest and selfishness. One primary reason is that we have culted happiness, idolize it and have made it an object of worship. "We love desires more than the desired". And we turn to destroy ourselves from within than without. Our internal faculties burns on our own flames.