“All intelligent thoughts have already been thought; what is necessary is only to try to think them again.”
- August 28, 1749 – March 22, 1832
- German
- Poet, playwright, novelist, philosopher, politician
- His literary works “Faust” and “The Sorrows of Young Werther” had a major impact on world literature.
Quote
“All intelligent thoughts have already been thought; what is necessary is only to try to think them again.”
Explanation
Goethe suggests that the great ideas or insights that shape human knowledge have already been discovered by previous thinkers. The true task for those who follow is not to come up with entirely new ideas but to revisit, re-examine, and reframe these ideas in new contexts, with fresh perspectives. The value lies in the reinterpretation and reapplication of these intelligent thoughts to current circumstances, allowing them to evolve and resonate in different ways. This perspective encourages a deep understanding of established ideas, rather than solely focusing on the novelty of new concepts.
Historically, this idea aligns with the philosophical and intellectual traditions of the time, where knowledge was often seen as building upon the thoughts of previous generations. Goethe himself, as a scholar and thinker, would have valued the wisdom of past philosophers and scientists, recognizing that the great works of history continue to influence modern thinking. He understood that intellectual progress is more about expanding upon existing ideas rather than creating entirely new ones.
In modern contexts, this concept is relevant to fields such as research, innovation, and creativity. Many modern innovations are based on revisiting existing theories and improving upon them, rather than creating entirely new concepts from scratch. In art, literature, and even science, the process of reinterpretation or rethinking old ideas continues to drive progress. For instance, scientific research often builds on the findings of earlier studies, offering new interpretations or applications of existing knowledge.
Goethe’s words remind us that while it may seem that new, original ideas are rare, much of human progress involves rethinking the wisdom of the past. The key to intellectual growth is not necessarily in coming up with completely new concepts but in continuing to explore, understand, and rethink the ideas that have shaped our world, adapting them to new challenges and contexts.
