Democracy divides people into workers and loafers. It makes no provision for those who have no time to work.
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the futility of war, highlighting the delusions and ultimate losses experienced by all parties involved.
Karl Kraus's quote encapsulates the changing mindset that one experiences in the context of war. Initially, there is an optimistic hope to win, followed by the expectation that the adversary experiences defeat and suffering. However, as the conflict progresses, the harsh reality emerges where the true outcome reveals that all sides have incurred losses, emphasizing the tragic cycle of violence and suffering inherent in warfare. The quote ultimately critiques the destructive nature of war and the illusions that accompany it.
Themes
WarLossSufferingPhilosophyFutility
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the impacts of conflicts, one might quote Kraus to highlight the mutual destruction caused by war.
More from Karl Kraus
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Sexuality poorly repressed unsettles some families; well repressed, it unsettles the whole world.
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My unconscious knows more about the consciousness of the psychologist than his consciousness knows about my unconscious.
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