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
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.
You don't need to pray to God any more when there are storms in the sky, but you do have to be insured.
Intelligence is not to make no mistakes, but quickly to see how to make them good.
Do not fear death so much but rather the inadequate life.
Poverty makes you wise but it's a curse.
It's all right to hesitate if you then go ahead.
The world of knowledge takes a crazy turn when teachers themselves are taught to learn.
No one will improve your lot if you do not yourself.
People remain what they are even if their faces fall apart.
What's breaking into a bank compared with founding a bank?
Mixing one's wines may be a mistake, but old and new wisdom mix admirably.
Grub first, then ethics.
Sometimes it's more important to be human, than to have good taste.
To live means to finesse the processes to which one is subjugated.
There are many elements to a campaign. Leadership is number one. Everything else is number two.
Society cannot share a common communication system so long as it is split into warring factions.
Whenever there are great virtues, it's a sure sign something's wrong.
Don't be afraid of death so much as an inadequate life.
Temptation to behave is terrible.
Everyone needs help from everyone.
Science knows only one commandment - contribute to science.
No one can be good for long if goodness is not in demand.
People are too durable, that's their main trouble. They can do too much to themselves, they last too long.
It is easier to rob by setting up a bank than by holding up a bank clerk.
Why be a man when you can be a success?
Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are.
What a miserable thing life is: you're living in clover, only the clover isn't good enough.
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 defeats and victories of the fellows at the top aren't always defeats and victories for the fellows at the bottom.
Everyone chases after happiness, not noticing that happiness is right at their heels.
What is the robbing of a bank compared to the founding of a bank?
Poverty makes you sad as well as wise.
Hungry man, reach for the book: it is a weapon.
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
Right is its own defense.
Don't tell me peace has broken out.
From the cradle to the coffin underwear comes first.
Unhappy the land that is in need of heroes.
War is like love; it always finds a way.
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.
He who laughs has not yet heard the bad news.