“The person engaged in action is always unconscionable; no one except the contemplative has a conscience.”

—  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Der Handelnde ist immer gewissenlos; es hat niemand Gewissen als der Betrachtende.
Maxim 241, trans. Stopp
Variant translation: The man of action is always unprincipled; none but the contemplative has a conscience
Maxims and Reflections (1833)

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Johann Wolfgang von Goethe photo
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe185
German writer, artist, and politician 1749–1832

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