Gulliver, that's a very good question but you are expecting too much of me. Although my last name ist Goetze which comes very close to Goethe I have no idea.
Anyhow, it well could be because it sounds moralizing which was typical for Johann Wolfgang.
McGrath of Harlow offered a perfect translation. Because he knows a lot about literature ( The Bridge of San Luis Rey, haha... Sorry for joking) I think he will be able to answer this question.

Manfred