Abandoned Quote by Karl Kraus
“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.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Last Days of Mankind by Karl Kraus, 1918
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.
