Who said “Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.”?

Disputed

It's credited to Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, but no reliable source from their lifetime has been found.

What the research foundNo reliable early source found for Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe.

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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APA

“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.” [Quotation attributed to Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/15856-things-which-matter-most-must-never-be-at/

MLA

“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.” Attributed to Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/15856-things-which-matter-most-must-never-be-at/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.” Attributed to Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/15856-things-which-matter-most-must-never-be-at/.

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