Democracy divides people into workers and loafers. It makes no provision for those who have no time to work.
Karl KrausRead
When a man is treated like a beast, he says, 'After all, I'm human.' When he behaves like a beast, he says 'After all, I'm only human.'
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the duality of human nature and the justifications we use for our actions.
Karl Kraus highlights the complexity of human identity and morality by illustrating how humans shift their self-perception based on their treatment and actions. When faced with inhumane treatment, they affirm their humanity, while when acting in a primal or bestial manner, they excuse their behavior by attributing it to their human nature, demonstrating a struggle between civility and instinct.
Themes
HumanityBehaviorMoralityIdentityNature
In practice
Example use cases
In a philosophical discussion about morality and ethics.
More from Karl Kraus
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War: first, one hopes to win; then one expects the enemy to lose; then, one is satisfied that he too is suffering; in the end, one is surprised that everyone has lost.
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Stupidity is an elemental force for which no earthquake is a match.
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Experiences are savings which a miser puts aside. Wisdom is an inheritance which a wastrel cannot exhaust.
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Sexuality poorly repressed unsettles some families; well repressed, it unsettles the whole world.
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