Am Anfang war die Tat. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe | Printable Wall Art

“Am Anfang war die Tat.”
“In the beginning was the deed.”

Words by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) — German poet, novelist, and statesman.

About this quote

Goethe challenges the traditional Biblical notion that the world began with the word. Instead, he suggests that action, drive, and agency form the true foundation of existence and progress. Thought and speech are important, but only through concrete action does thought acquire power and meaning. It is a call to create, act, and shape reality actively rather than passively contemplating it.

This famous line comes from Goethe’s dramatic masterpiece, Faust, Part One, published in 1808. Faust speaks the phrase while attempting to translate the opening line of the Gospel of John into German.

It belongs in a personal study or home office to inspire decisive action and focus during demanding creative work.

What you get

An instant digital download. Choose your design and size at checkout — 19 typographic designs and 8 print sizes are available for this quote.

• Print-ready PDF with fully embedded vector type — sharp at any scale
• Exact trim size, no cropping required
• Print at home, at a local print shop, or upload to an online printer
• Instant download — no physical item is shipped

Sizes available

5" x 7" · 8" x 10" · 11" x 14" · 12" x 16" · 16" x 20" · 18" x 24" · 24" x 36" · A4 (21 x 29.7 cm)

Designs available

Atelier Serif · Quiet Garamond · Studio Left · Gallery Rule · Midnight Serif · Editorial Left Serif · Modern Sans Calm · Letterpress Caps · Poster Condensed · Script Whisper · Manuscript Italic · Asymmetric Left · Minimal Unsigned · Charcoal Sans · Gallery Frame · Soft Serif Right · Statement Serif · Night Script · Tracked Caps Unsigned

Digital product. Colours may vary slightly between screens and printers. Frames and props are not included.