Bertolt Brecht Quotes

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

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

Don't be afraid of death so much as an inadequate life.
Bertolt Brecht

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

From the cradle to the coffin underwear comes first.
Bertolt Brecht

He who laughs has not yet heard the bad news.
Bertolt Brecht

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

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

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

It's all right to hesitate if you then go ahead.
Bertolt Brecht

Mixing one's wines may be a mistake, but old and new wisdom mix admirably.
Bertolt Brecht

No one can be good for long if goodness is not in demand.
Bertolt Brecht

No one will improve your lot if you do not yourself.
Bertolt Brecht

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.
Bertolt Brecht

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

People remain what they are even if their faces fall apart.
Bertolt Brecht

Poverty makes you sad as well as wise.
Bertolt Brecht

Poverty makes you wise but it's a curse.
Bertolt Brecht

Right is its own defense.
Bertolt Brecht

Science knows only one commandment - contribute to science.
Bertolt Brecht

Society cannot share a common communication system so long as it is split into warring factions.
Bertolt Brecht

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

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

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.
Bertolt Brecht

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.
Bertolt Brecht

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

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

To live means to finesse the processes to which one is subjugated.
Bertolt Brecht

War is like love; it always finds a way.
Bertolt Brecht

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

What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
Bertolt Brecht

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

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.
Bertolt Brecht

What's breaking into a bank compared with founding a bank?
Bertolt Brecht

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

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