Quotes by Bertolt Brecht

About Bertolt Brecht:

Bertolt Brecht was a German poet, playwright, and theatre director of the 20th century. He made contributions to dramaturgy and theatrical production, the latter through the tours undertaken by the Berliner Ensemble – the post-war theatre company operated by Brecht and his wife, long-time collaborator and actress Helene Weigel.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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

Bertolt Brecht

Right is its own defense.

Bertolt Brecht

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

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

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

Bertolt Brecht

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

Bertolt Brecht

Poverty makes you wise but it's a curse.

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 human race tends to remember the abuses to which it has been subjected rather than the endearments. What's left of kisses? Wounds, however, leave scars.

Bertolt Brecht

If you join the rat race — you're in the race of rats.

Bertolt Brecht

Those who are weak don't fight. Those who are stronger might fight for an hour. Those who are stronger still might fight for many years. The strongest fight their whole life. They are the indispensable ones.

Bertolt Brecht

Some party hack decreed that the people had lost the government's confidence and could only regain it with redoubled effort. If that is the case, would it not be be simpler, If the government simply dissolved the people And elected another?

Bertolt Brecht

Dabei wissen wir doch: Auch der Hass gegen die Niedrigkeit Verzerrt die Züge. Auch der Zorn über das Unrecht Macht die Stimme heiser. Ach, wir Die wir den Boden bereiten wollten für Freundlichkeit Konnten selber nicht freundlich sein.

Bertolt Brecht

Corpses sour you. They are bad for objectivity.

Bertolt Brecht

Bei den Hochgestellten gilt das Reden vom Essen als niedrig. Das kommt: sie haben schon gegessen.

Bertolt Brecht

The aim of science is not to open the door to everlasting truth, but to set a limit on everlasting error.

Bertolt Brecht

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

Bertolt Brecht

Unglücklich das Land, das Helden nötig hat

Bertolt Brecht

Unhappy is the land that breeds no hero! No, Andrea....unhappy is the land that needs a hero.

Bertolt Brecht

First of all, they came to take the gypsies and I was happy because they pilfered. Then they came to take the Jews and I said nothing, because they were unpleasant to me. Then they came to take homosexuals, and I was relieved, because they were annoy...

Bertolt Brecht

In my poetry a rhyme Would seem to me almost insolent. Inside me contend Delight at the apple tree in blossom And horror at the house-painter’s speeches. But only the second Drives me to my desk.

Bertolt Brecht

Author Bio

  • NameBertolt Brecht
  • DescriptionGerman poet, playwright, and theatre director
  • BornFebruary 10, 1898
  • DiedAugust 14, 1956
  • CountryGermany; Austria; East Germany
  • ProfessionPlaywright; Lyricist; Screenwriter; Film Director; Poet; Writer; Librettist
  • WorksThe Threepenny Opera; Life Of Galileo; The Caucasian Chalk Circle
  • AwardsNational Prize Of East Germany