6 Quotes by Anna Seghers

Such lies were a lot better, less hurtful than the truth would have been.

Während die Starken sich ruhig einmal irren können, ohne etwas zu verlieren, weil selbst die mächtigsten Menschen noch Menschen sind - ja sogar ihre Irrtümer machen sie nur noch menschlicher -,darf sich, wer sich als Allmacht aufspielt, niemals irren, weil es entweder Allmacht ist oder gar nichts.

What magic was this, brewed from equal parts of age-old memories and total oblivion. One could have believed that the last war these people had fought had left only happy memories, had carried in its wake nothing but joy and prosperity. Women and girls were smiling as if their sons and lovers were invulnerable.

Wait, I thought to myself! He wants to wait until everything that once was dear to him is trampled under foot.

Not only can what others are suffering be a consolation while we are suffering, but even knowing what others suffered long ago can be consoling.

When you’re young and healthy you can recover quickly from a defeat. But betrayal is different – it paralyzes you.