It is only necessary to grow old to become more indulgent. I see no fault committed that I have not committed myself.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) German poet, statesman, scientist

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Quoted in Sarah Austin (trans.), Fragments from German Prose Writers (1841).Alt. trans.: "One may only grow old in order to become gentler; I see no error committed that I could not have committed myself." -- Works (Hamburger Edition [Hamburger Ausgabe]) , 12:542, #1332 [ed. E. Trunz (1948)]