98 Quotes by Ernst Jünger

Die grossen Gedanken entspringen im Herzen, und scheitern an der Welt. GESAMT WERKE. Band 17.

Du kannst nicht zu einem Brunnenfrosch vom Ozean sprechen. GESAMT WERKE. Band 2

Die Menschen besitzen alle Anlagen zum glücklichen Leben; sie machen aber keinen Gebrauch davon.” GESAMT WERKE. Band 2

Heutzutage trifft man gewöhnlich Leute, in denen der Typus vorwiegt, dem man anmerkt, dass er nur ein Buch gelesen hat.

One of the anarch’s emoluments is that he is distinguished for things that he has done on the side or that go against his grain.

The populace consists of individuals and free men, while the state is made up of numbers. When the state dominates, killing becomes abstract. Servitude began with the shepherds; in the river valleys it attained perfection with canals and dikes. Its model was the slavery in mines and mills. Since then, the ruses for concealing chains have been refined.

Throughout the war, it was always my endeavour to view my opponent without animus, and to form an opinion of him as a man on the basis of the courage he showed. I would always try and seek him out in combat and kill him, and I expected nothing else from him. But never did I entertain mean thoughts of him. When prisoners fell into my hands, later on, I felt responsible for their safety, and would always do everything in my power for them.p. 58

Trench fighting is the bloodiest, wildest, most brutal of all ... Of all the war's exciting moments none is so powerful as the meeting of two storm troop leaders between narrow trench walls. There's no mercy there, no going back, the blood speaks from a shrill cry of recognition that tears itself from one's breast like a nightmare.

Der Bildhauer steht zunächst dem rohen Block, der puren Materie gegenüber, die jede Möglichkeit umschließt. Sie antworten dem Meißel; er kann zerstören oder Wasser des Lebens geistige Macht aus ihr befreien.