Quotes from Frank Wedekind

Der vermummte Herr Warum prahlen Sie denn dann mit Erhabenheit?! – Sie wissen doch, daß das Humbug ist – saure Trauben! Warum lügen Sie geflissentlich, Sie – Hirngespinst! – – Wenn Ihnen eine so schätzenswerte Wohltat damit geschieht, so bleiben Sie meinetwegen. Aber hüten Sie sich vor Windbeuteleien, lieber Freund – und lassen Sie mir bitte Ihre Leichenhand aus dem Spiel.

MORITZ: Melchior, do you agree that a human being's sense of shame is just a product of his education? MELCHIOR: It seems to me it must be deeply rooted in human nature. Imagine you had to undress completely in front of your best friend. You'd only do it if he did it at the same time.

MRS GABOR (to Mr. Gabor): You have to be a man to be so blinded by doctrine that you cannot see what is staring you in the face!

Your explanation brought up a host of dim recollections, which affected me as a song of his childhood affects a man on his deathbed when hear from the lips of another.

MELCHIOR- Je te dirai tout.-Je le tiens des livres, je le tiens d'illustrations, et aussi d'observations faites sur nature. (L'éveil du printemps)

The sublime humorist is the most miserable, most pitiable creature in creation.

I read your explanation.——It fell at my feet during the first vacation days. I was startled. I fastened the door and flew through the flaming lines as a frightened owl flies through a burning wood——I believe I read most of it with my eyes shut.

Die Nacht nach diesem Gespräch konnte ich nicht schlafen. Als Blanka nach Hause kam, schloß ich die Augen und rührte mich nicht. Aber ich mußte ununterbrochen an Irma und Margareta denken.

Before I struck a light one could see the grass and a streak on the horizon. Now it is dark. Now I shall never return home again.

Monuments are for the living, not the dead.

Any fool can have bad luck the art consists in knowing how to exploit it.

God made man in his own image, and man returned the favour.

Virtue looks good but it only suits imposing figures.

The laws of this world are for children.