Democracy divides people into workers and loafers. It makes no provision for those who have no time to work.
Karl KrausRead
Matrimony is the union of meanness and martyrdom.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Matrimony can often involve self-sacrifice and a lack of generosity.
Karl Kraus' quote suggests that marriage is a complex institution where one may experience both the cruelty of selfishness and the struggle of selflessness. It points to the dichotomy often found in romantic relationships, where partners can embody both the traits of being mean or selfish as well as those of being a martyr, giving up personal desires for the sake of the relationship or their partner. This commentary highlights the challenges and contradictions of enduring love and commitment.
Themes
MatrimonyRelationshipsSacrificeSelfishnessLove
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the complexities of marriage at a wedding reception.
More from Karl Kraus
All quotes βThe mission of the press is to spread culture while destroying the attention span.
Karl KrausRead
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.
Karl KrausRead
Stupidity is an elemental force for which no earthquake is a match.
Karl KrausRead
Experiences are savings which a miser puts aside. Wisdom is an inheritance which a wastrel cannot exhaust.
Karl KrausRead
Sexuality poorly repressed unsettles some families; well repressed, it unsettles the whole world.
Karl KrausRead
Similar quotes
It is at least a small comfort to me, as a gay rights and marriage equality advocate, to know that like any marriage, gay and lesbian couples are subject to the same complications and hardships that afflict marriages between heterosexual couples.
Gene RobinsonRead
Dumbledore paused, and although his voice remained light and calm, and he gave no obvious sign of anger, Harry felt a kind of chill emanating from him and noticed that the Dursleys drew very slightly closer together. βYou did not do as I asked. You have never treated Harry as a son. He has known nothing but neglect and often cruelty at your hands. The best that can be said is that he has at least escaped the appalling damage you have inflicted upon the unfortunate boy sitting between you.
J. K. RowlingRead
One of the most powerful of all our passions is the desire to be admired and respected.
Bertrand RussellRead
Having once embarked on your marital voyage, it is impossible not to be aware that you make no way and the sea is not within sight; that in fact, you are exploring an enclosed basin.
George EliotRead
Woman begins by resisting a man's advances and ends by blocking his retreat.
Oscar WildeRead
I'm not sure that love and like aren't like cats and dogs: One can't grow up to be the other, but they can be taught to live under the same roof.
E. L. KonigsburgRead