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In Berlin, things are serious but not hopeless. In Vienna, they are hopeless but not serious.

Karl Kraus

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Karl Kraus
Age: 62 †
Born: 1874
Born: March 28
Died: 1936
Died: June 12
Essayist
Journalist
Literary Critic
Playwright
Poet
Translator
Writer
Jicin
Hopeless
Serious
Things
Vienna
Berlin

More quotes by Karl Kraus

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Satire chooses and knows no objects. It arises by fleeing from them and their forcing themselves upon it.
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Curses on the law! Most of my fellow citizens are the sorry consequences of uncommitted abortions.
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Sound opinions are valueless. What matters is who holds them.
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A cigar, said the altruist, a cigar, my good man, I cannot give you. But any time you need a light, just come around mine is always lit.
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My request that my writing be read twice has aroused great indignation. Unjustly so. After all, I do not ask that they be read once.
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That an author takes a bow is not humility but presumption. What does the paleface want on the stage afterwards? But before the performance he had even less business there--and paying him royalties is equivalent to cheating the actors.
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In case of doubt, decide in favor of what is correct.
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Cosmetics is the science of a woman's cosmos.
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Prussia: freedom of movement with a muzzle. Austria: an isolation cell in which screaming is allowed.
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A healthy man is content with a woman. An erotic man is content with a stocking to get to a woman. A sick man is content with thestocking.
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Life is an effort that deserves a better cause.
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A writer is someone who can make a riddle out of an answer.
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Contemporaries live from second hand to mouth.
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There are women who are not beautiful but only look that way.
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If someone calls me vain and mean, I know that he trusts me and has something to confess to me.
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Penalties serve to deter those who are not inclined to commit any crimes.
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A weak man has doubts before a decision a strong man has them afterwards.
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Sexual enlightenment is that hardhearted process which for hygienic reasons forbids young people to satisfy their curiosity themselves.
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A fine world in which man reproaches woman with fulfilling his heart's desire!
Karl Kraus
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How powerful social mores are! Only a spider's web lies across the volcano, yet it refrains from erupting.
Karl Kraus