# famed Goethe quote

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famed-goethe-quote/211011>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 2, 2003, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famed-goethe-quote/211011 "2003-11-02T18:15:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![drhess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/94ad74/32.png) [@drhess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drhess)\
**Post date:** [November 2, 2003, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famed-goethe-quote/211011/1 "2003-11-02T18:15:02Z")

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“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least” -Goethe

Many places say Gertie said this, but where do they find this? In other words, what’s the full citation? Or is it dubious?

Thanks. :dubious: