Goethe on reincarnation

I just realized that Goethe believed in reincarnation. The German writer, scientist and philosopher was born in 1749 in Frankfurt am Main and died in 1832 in Weimar. 

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was one of the most prominent writers of his day. He is considered to be the greatest German literary figure of the modern era. 

Reincarnation is a rather common belief in Western countries today, for instance in Denmark (where I come from) it is held by one in four. In Goethe’s lifetime, however, it must have been very unusual since beliefs were still primarily shaped by traditional Christianity.

For more Goethe quotes on reincarnation, see here.