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About this quote

What does it mean?
Knowledge can be shared, but personal feelings are unique.
In plain terms
Ideas are shareable; emotions are private.
What can you take from it?
Value your inner emotional world.

Where it applies

  • personal relationships
  • creative writing

Putting it to work

  • reflect on personal feelings
  • express emotions authentically

Questions to consider

  • How do I balance sharing knowledge with protecting my heart?
  • When should I reveal my feelings?

Another view

Over‑emphasizing privacy can hinder empathy.

More from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  1. Against criticism a man can neither protest nor defend himself; he must act in spite of it, and then it will gradually yield to him.

    Permalink to quote #99
  2. As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.

    Permalink to quote #101
  3. A reasonable man needs only to practice moderation to find happiness.

    Permalink to quote #98

Related quotes

  1. In many ways doth the full heart reveal The presence of the love it would conceal.

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  2. Man knows that love is, but not what it is.

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  3. Life is not a thing of knowing only - nay, mere knowledge has properly no place at all save as it becomes the handmaiden of feeling and emotion.

    Learned HandLearned Hand quote #1