Was man in der Jugend wünscht, hat man im Alter die Fülle. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe | Printable Wall Art

“Was man in der Jugend wünscht, hat man im Alter die Fülle.”
“What one wishes for in youth, one has in abundance in old age.”

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

About this quote

Goethe reflects on how the ambitions and desires of our early years often come to fruition later in life, though not always in the form or spirit we originally imagined. The phrase captures the passage of time, reminding us that patience and lived experience eventually yield the passions, knowledge, or material rewards we once sought so fervently as young people.

Written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, this line serves as the motto for the second part of his autobiography, Dichtung und Wahrheit (Poetry and Truth), published between 1811 and 1833, reflecting on his youthful aspirations.

People often hang this print in a home library or study to inspire quiet reflection on life’s long journey.

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.