Crazy world Quote by Erich Maria Remarque
““Every few minutes columns marched past outside, some with crashing military marches, others to the tune of the Internationale, and then again silent, long processions with placards carried in advance demanding work and bread. The beat of the many footsteps on the pavement was like the inexorable ticking of some gigantic clock. During the afternoon there had already been a clash between strikers and the police; twelve people had been hurt, and for hours the entire force had been standing to. The whistle of motor ambulances shrilled through the streets. “There’s no rest,” said the proprietor, showing a sixteen. “Ever since the war there’s been no rest. And yet we all wanted nothing else then, but rest. Crazy world.” I showed seventeen and raked in the pot. “It’s not the world that’s crazy,” said I. “It’s the people in it.””
About This Quote
The passage depicts chaotic post‑war unrest, with constant protests, clashes, and a yearning for peace amidst relentless turmoil.
In simple terms: War‑time chaos shows people craving peace.
Key Takeaway
Seek calm despite external chaos.
Themes
war
protest
social unrest
peace
human suffering
Mood
tired
hopeful
defiant
Type
observational
narrative
When to use this quote
- streets of a city
- workers’ strikes
- post‑war society
- personal reflection
- public unrest
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
collective trauma
resilience
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “rest” mean to you in chaotic times?
- How can individuals find peace amid collective unrest?
A Different Perspective
The narrative may romanticize suffering, overlooking systemic causes of conflict.
