Quote by: Thomas Mann

What did one see if one looked in any depth into the world of this writer's fiction? Elegant self-control concealing from the world's eyes until the very last moment a state of inner disintegration and biological decay; sallow ugliness, sensuously marred and worsted, which nevertheless is able to fan its smouldering concupiscence to a pallid impotence, which from the glowing depths of the spirit draws strength to cast down a whole proud people at the foot of the Cross and set its own foot upon them as well; gracious poise and composure in the empty austere service of form; the false, dangerous life of the born deceiver, his ambition and his art which lead so soon to exhaustion ---


Share this:  

Author Bio


  • NameThomas Mann
  • DescriptionGerman novelist, and 1929 Nobel Prize laureate
  • AliasesThomas Mann
  • BornJune 6, 1875
  • DiedAugust 12, 1955
  • CountryGerman Empire; Weimar Republic; United States Of America
  • ProfessionNovelist; Essayist; Autobiographer; Short Story Writer; Social Critic; Diarist
  • WorksBuddenbrooks; The Magic Mountain; Death In Venice; Joseph And His Brothers; Lotte In Weimar: The Beloved Returns
  • AwardsNobel Prize In Literature; Goethe Prize; Order Of Merit For Arts And Science