Goethe quotation

John W. Burgeson (burgy@compuserve.com)
Sat, 30 May 1998 16:18:05 -0400

A friend of mine is writing a history of
some church matters and
has included in it a quotation she "got from Goethe."
I would like to include a citation with it but I've not
been able to find it. Perhaps
it came from someone else?

Can anyone help me save this lady from possible embarrassment?

Burgy (the passage follows)

UNTIL ONE IS COMMITTED
THERE IS HESITANCY, THE CHANCE TO DRAW BACK,
ALWAYS INEFFECTIVENESS.

CONCERNING ALL ACTS OF INITIATIVE AND CREATION
THERE IS ONE ELEMENTARY TRUTH,
THE IGNORANCE OF WHICH KILLS COUNTLESS IDEAS
AND SPLENDID PLANS.

THE MOMENT ONE DEFINITELY COMMITS ONESELF, THEN PROVIDENCE MOVES.

ALL SORTS OF THINGS OCCUR TO HELP ONE
THAT WOULD NEVER OTHERWISE HAVE OCCURRED.

A WHOLE STREAM OF EVENTS ISSUES FROM THE DECISION
RAISING IN ONE'S FAVOR ALL MANNER
OF UNFORESEEN INCIDENTS AND MEETINGS,
AND MATERIAL ASSISTANCE,
WHICH NO MAN (OR WOMAN) COULD HAVE DREAMT
WOULD HAVE COME HIS (OR HER) WAY.

WHATEVER YOU CAN DO, OR DREAM, YOU CAN. BEGIN IT.
BOLDNESS HAS GENIUS, POWER AND MAGIC IN IT.

--- GOETHE