Karl Kraus (writer)

“The Life and Work of Karl Kraus”

“Lord, forgive them, for they know what they do!”

“To be human is erroneous.”

“Keep your passions in check, but beware of giving your reason free rein.”

“You don't even live once.”

“The development of technology will leave only one problem: the infirmity of human nature.”

“Life is an effort that deserves a better cause.”

“Family life is an encroachment on private life.”

“Squeeze human nature into a straitjacket of criminal justice and crime will appear!”

“Solitude would be an ideal state if one were able to pick the people one avoids.”

“There is no doubt that a dog is loyal. But does that mean we should emulate him? After all, he is loyal to people, not to other dogs.”

“The world is a prison in which solitary confinement is preferable.”

“The devil is an optimist if he thinks he can make people meaner.”

“"A cigar," said the altruist, "a cigar, my good man, I cannot give you. But any time you need a light, just come round, mine is always lit."”

“When someone has behaved like an animal, he says: "I'm only human!" But when he is treated like an animal, he says: "I'm human, too!"”

“The superman is a premature ideal, one that presupposes a man.”

“Women at least have elegant dresses. But what can men use to cover their emptiness?”

“A woman is, occasionally, quite a serviceable substitute for masturbation. It takes an abundance of imagination, to be sure.”

“How unreliable is the woman caught being faithful! Today she is faithful to you, tomorrow to another.”

“A woman who cannot be ugly is not beautiful.”