# Johann Wolfgang von Goethe — The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism character guide

> Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism by Max Weber.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Goethe

**First appearance:** 0006-ii-the-spirit-of-capitalism

## Who they are

German poet whose literary works are occasionally cited to illustrate cultural points.

## In the story

### [The Religious Foundations of Worldly Asceticism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/chapters/iv-the-religious-foundations-of-worldly-asceticism)

Quoted on the ruthlessness of the man of action.

### [D. The Baptist Sects](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/chapters/d-the-baptist-sects)

Quoted to illustrate the Calvinist's lack of conscience in action, contrasting with Baptist conscientiousness.

### [V: Asceticism and the Spirit of Capitalism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/chapters/v-asceticism-and-the-spirit-of-capitalism)

His 'Wanderjahre' and 'Faust' are cited to illustrate the renunciation of Faustian universality.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/chapters/endnotes)

Goethe's 'Faust' is referenced in a note, with Weber adapting a line about the spirit that always wills evil but creates good.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/goethe
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters