"To appreciate the noble is a gain which can never be torn from us"

To appreciate the noble is to cultivate an enduring recognition of what is virtuous, elevated, and honorable in life. Goethe suggests that such appreciation is not just fleeting admiration, but a deep and lasting enrichment of the soul. Noble qualities, such as integrity, courage, selflessness, and wisdom, may be embodied by individuals, actions, or even ideals. By recognizing and valuing these qualities, one experiences a transformative internal gain.

Unlike material possessions, status, or external achievements, the capacity to cherish nobility cannot be lost through misfortune, theft, or the passage of time. External circumstances may change, and what is tangible may be taken away, but the internal wealth accumulated through genuine appreciation for the noble becomes part of one's very character. This inner gain is immune to external forces precisely because it resides deeply within, shaping one's outlook, choices, and sense of identity.

Furthermore, this appreciation acts as a safeguard for one's own values. When one admires nobility in others, there is an implicit draw to emulate it, nurturing a cycle of moral elevation. The act of recognizing the best in the world and in humanity strengthens one’s own virtues, fueling personal growth and deepening one’s sense of gratitude and purpose. This aligns with Goethe’s broader humanistic view that the soul is fortified and dignified through connections with the higher qualities of life.

The permanence alluded to by Goethe is not static, but dynamic, a wellspring of inspiration that continues to influence, uplift, and guide, regardless of life's external upheavals. To appreciate the noble is to secure afresh, at every moment, a treasure that no loss or adversity can diminish. It is an investment in the self’s most enduring and valuable dimension: its capacity for reverence and virtue.