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The heroes of obtrusiveness, people with whom no soldier…

“The heroes of obtrusiveness, people with whom no soldier would lie down in the trenches, though he has to submit to being interviewed by them, break into recently abandoned royal castles so that they can report, "We got there first!" It would be far less shameful to be paid for committing…” quote by Karl Kraus
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“The heroes of obtrusiveness, people with whom no soldier would lie down in the trenches, though he has to submit to being interviewed by them, break into recently abandoned royal castles so that they can report, "We got there first!" It would be far less shameful to be paid for committing atrocities than for fabricating them.”

Karl Kraus

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote satizes those who seek fame by claiming first arrivals at horrific events, suggesting that profiting from real atrocities feels less shameful than inventing them.

In simple terms: Seeking fame through false claims is condemned.

Key Takeaway

Avoid glorifying false heroism.

Themes

morality truth media war honor

Mood

critical satirical

Type

cautionary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • journalism
  • war reporting
  • political activism
  • public relations
  • historical analysis

Key Concepts

Ethics propaganda celebrity historical critique

Questions to Reflect On

  • What drives people to claim false heroism?
  • How does society reward real versus fabricated suffering?
A Different Perspective

It may overlook the complexity of victimhood and the role of systemic oppression.

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