333 Quotes by Karl Kraus

Signori, chi ha qualcosa da dire si faccia avanti, e taccia.

It is a mystery to me how a theologian can be praised for having brought himself to disbelieve dogmas. I’ve always thought that those who have brought themselves to believe in dogmas merit the true recognition owing a heroic deed.

Morality is a burglar’s tool whose merit lies in never being left behind at the scene of the crime.

One’s need for loneliness is not satisfied if one sits at a table alone. There must be empty chairs as well.

War is, at first, the hope that one will be better off; next, the expectation that the other fellow will be worse off; then, the satisfaction that he isn’t any better off; and, finally, the surprise at everyone’s being worse off.

I have often been asked to be fair and view a matter from all sides. I did so, hoping something might improve if I viewed all sides of it. But the result was the same. So I went back to viewing things only from one side, which saves me a lot of work and disappointment. For it is comforting to regard something as bad and be able use one’s prejudice as an excuse.

This is something that I cannot get over – that a whole line could be written by half a man, that a work could be built on the quicksand of a character.

Immortality is the only thing which doesn’t tolerate being postponed.

You don’t even live once.