“The world is full of fools,” continues Goethe. “One must be either this or that . . . poet or scientist . . . not both, and not anything more. We must spend our lives inculcating one interest, specializing in one art . . .” Tischbein hesitates. “Some would say that is the way to true knowledge.” Goethe snorts. “True knowledge! This division lies only in our minds, Tischbein. Not in the world. The world continues to be exactly as it is.”
