Johann Wolfgang von Goethe? Jules Verne? Friedrich Nietzsche? Apocryphal?
Question for Quote Investigator: A character in a novel by the prominent German poet and novelist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe presented a radical stance on happiness and illusion. Here are two versions:
(1) Nothing which makes us happy is an illusion?
(2) Can that be a delusion which makes us happy?
The pioneering French science fiction author Jules Verne said something similar. Would you please help me to find precise citations?
Reply from Quote Investigator: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe published the epistolary novel “Die Leiden des jungen Werthers” (“The Sorrows of Young Werther”) in 1774. The main character Werther fell in love with Charlotte, but she was already committed to a relationship with Albert; hence, Werther’s connection to Charlotte was required to remain platonic.
During one episode in the novel, Werther sent a servant to speak with Charlotte. Goethe signaled Werther’s infatuation with Charlotte by describing his reaction to the servant upon his return. Werther felt joy by simply seeing the servant because he knew that Charlotte had also gazed upon the servant. Werther mentioned this unusual reaction to a friend named Wilhelm:1
Es war mir so wohl in seiner Gegenwart — Bewahre dich Gott, daß du darüber nicht lachst Wilhelm, sind das Phantomen, wenn es uns wohl wird?
Here is one possible translation into English:
I felt so happy in his presence, God forbid that you should laugh at this Wilhelm, are these things phantasms if they make us feel good?
The following translation appeared in 1784:2
… I was so happy to see him! Beware of laughing at me, my good friend: nothing which makes us happy is an illusion.
In 1868 another translation appeared:3
His presence made me so happy! Beware of laughing at me, Wilhelm. Can that be a delusion which makes us happy?
Below are additional selected citations.
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