Bertolt Brecht's Quotes

Temptation to behave is terrible.

Why be a man when you can be a success?

Don't tell me peace has broken out.

People are too durable, that's their main trouble. They can do too much to themselves, they last too long.

Right is its own defense.

The finest plans have always been spoiled by the littleness of them that should carry them out. Even emperors can't do it all by themselves.

There are many elements to a campaign. Leadership is number one. Everything else is number two.

You don't need to pray to God any more when there are storms in the sky, but you do have to be insured.

Poverty makes you wise but it's a curse.

Sometimes it's more important to be human, than to have good taste.

The defeats and victories of the fellows at the top aren't always defeats and victories for the fellows at the bottom.

War is like love; it always finds a way.

What a miserable thing life is: you're living in clover, only the clover isn't good enough.

What is the robbing of a bank compared to the founding of a bank?

Whenever there are great virtues, it's a sure sign something's wrong.

One forgets too easily the difference between a man and his image, and that there is none between the sound of his voice on the screen and in real life.

What they could do with 'round here is a good war. What else can you expect with peace running wild all over the place? You know what the trouble with peace is? No organization.

Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are.

Everyone chases after happiness, not noticing that happiness is right at their heels.

It is easier to rob by setting up a bank than by holding up a bank clerk.

Do not fear death so much but rather the inadequate life.

Hungry man, reach for the book: it is a weapon.

Intelligence is not to make no mistakes, but quickly to see how to make them good.

The law was made for one thing alone, for the exploitation of those who don't understand it, or are prevented by naked misery from obeying it.

The world of knowledge takes a crazy turn when teachers themselves are taught to learn.

From the cradle to the coffin underwear comes first.