--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It took Austria a long time to be honest…" description: "\"It took Austria a long time to be honest about its past.\" — Sebastian Kurz" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e76/sebastian-kurz-6800_austria_it-took-austria-a-long-time-to-be-honest_2761578.jpg" --- # It took Austria a long time to be honest about its past. ![“It took Austria a long time to be honest about its past.” quote by Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e76/sebastian-kurz-6800_austria_it-took-austria-a-long-time-to-be-honest_2761578.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e76/sebastian-kurz-6800_austria_it-took-austria-a-long-time-to-be-honest_2761578.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e76/sebastian-kurz-6800_austria_it-took-austria-a-long-time-to-be-honest_2761578.jpg) > “It took Austria a long time to be honest about its past.” [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Austria has taken many years to confront and acknowledge its historical actions truthfully. **In simple terms:** Austria slowly admitted its past. Key Takeaway Encourage honest historical reflection. Themes history national identity accountability Mood reflective serious Type historical political When to use this quote - education curricula - museum exhibits - public debates - policy making Key Concepts collective memory political honesty reconciliation Questions to Reflect On - What steps can societies take to confront uncomfortable histories? - How does transparency affect national healing? A Different Perspective Acknowledging past may provoke national discomfort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Austria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/austria/) [Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Never Trust A Guy who cannot be completely open and honest about his past or even himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enhance-dreams/never-trust-a-guy-who-cannot-be-completely-open-and-honest-about-his/) Enhance Dreams > [It's good to be honest about your past mistakes and what you've done unlike those who act so innocent but a devil in disguise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-good-to-be-honest-about-your-past-mistakes-and-what-you-ve-done/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We are also trying to fight successfully in the European Union against anti-Semitism. Because of Austria's history, it is, from my point of view,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/we-are-also-trying-to-fight-successfully-in-the-european-union/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [Austria is unconditionally committed to the security of Israel and its citizens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/austria-is-unconditionally-committed-to-the-security-of-israel-and/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [I have always had excellent cooperation with the Jewish community in Austria.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/i-have-always-had-excellent-cooperation-with-the-jewish-community-in/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [Migrants who set off for Europe don't want to go to Bulgaria or Hungary. They want to go to Germany, Austria, or Sweden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/migrants-who-set-off-for-europe-don-t-want-to-go-to-bulgaria-or/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [We have a problem with political Islam in Austria.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/we-have-a-problem-with-political-islam-in-austria/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [The shutting out or boycotting of selected media cannot take place in Austria.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/the-shutting-out-or-boycotting-of-selected-media-cannot-take-place-in/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [Between the summer of 2015 and spring 2016, Austria became one of the European countries most affected by the migration and refugee crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/between-the-summer-of-2015-and-spring-2016-austria-became-one-of-the/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [Austria can only be strong if we are not just members of the European Union but also actively help to strengthen the European Union.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/austria-can-only-be-strong-if-we-are-not-just-members-of-the-european/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [Austria is a very export-oriented country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/austria-is-a-very-export-oriented-country/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [I can assure you that Austria will fight all forms of anti-Semitism in Europe with determination, be it still an existing one or also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/i-can-assure-you-that-austria-will-fight-all-forms-of-anti-semitism/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [Italy spills over to everything. Italy is a huge banking system. It has been the major banking system in Eastern Europe. It's worked with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-friedman/italy-spills-over-to-everything-italy-is-a-huge-banking-system-it-has/) [George Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-friedman/) > [The north German does not go in for extremes. He has broader horizons than the men from the mountains of Bavaria and Austria.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-donitz/the-north-german-does-not-go-in-for-extremes-he-has-broader-horizons/) [Karl Donitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-donitz/) > [I did a ski festival in Austria once. I was struck by how friendly Austrians were, before gradually realising it's more that Glaswegians are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frankie-boyle/i-did-a-ski-festival-in-austria-once-i-was-struck-by-how-friendly/) [Frankie Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frankie-boyle/) ## More by Sebastian Kurz > [If we Europeans are not in a state to be able to solve the refugee crisis ourselves, if we only depend on Plan B…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/if-we-europeans-are-not-in-a-state-to-be-able-to-solve-the-refugee/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [When we look at the situation in the EU, we need to honestly admit that it desperately needs to develop further, that we need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/when-we-look-at-the-situation-in-the-eu-we-need-to-honestly-admit/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [I am aware of the responsibility I am taking on as the chancellor. Things have developed very quickly for me in recent years, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/i-am-aware-of-the-responsibility-i-am-taking-on-as-the-chancellor/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [As Foreign Minister, I worked to strengthen the cooperation with Israel, and now, as Chancellor, I have more opportunities do this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/as-foreign-minister-i-worked-to-strengthen-the-cooperation-with/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [Political Islam's parallel societies and radicalizing tendencies have no place in our country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/political-islam-s-parallel-societies-and-radicalizing-tendencies-have/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [We want Austrian-style Islam, not one controlled by other states.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/we-want-austrian-style-islam-not-one-controlled-by-other-states/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [Our historical responsibility does not end at the Austrian or European border.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/our-historical-responsibility-does-not-end-at-the-austrian-or/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [Forcing states to take refugees doesn't take Europe any further.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/forcing-states-to-take-refugees-doesn-t-take-europe-any-further/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [If people have the choice of where they settle in Europe, then we cannot be surprised that they choose to come over here in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/if-people-have-the-choice-of-where-they-settle-in-europe-then-we/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [There is no doubt that our government is pro-European.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/there-is-no-doubt-that-our-government-is-pro-european/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [I can assure you that Austria will fight all forms of anti-Semitism in Europe with determination, be it still an existing one or also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/i-can-assure-you-that-austria-will-fight-all-forms-of-anti-semitism/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [Austria is a very export-oriented country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/austria-is-a-very-export-oriented-country/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [We need a change of course in the European Union. The most important is the focus on the big questions and a European Union…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/we-need-a-change-of-course-in-the-european-union-the-most-important/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [We strongly condemn all forms of anti-Semitism as well as any form of downplaying or denial of the Holocaust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/we-strongly-condemn-all-forms-of-anti-semitism-as-well-as-any-form-of/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [Many politicians are far removed from their own electorates and continue to make the mistake of ignoring their voters' problems because they live in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/many-politicians-are-far-removed-from-their-own-electorates-and/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) [Explore all 97 Sebastian Kurz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) ## More Austria quotes > [I did a ski festival in Austria once. I was struck by how friendly Austrians were, before gradually realising it's more that Glaswegians are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frankie-boyle/i-did-a-ski-festival-in-austria-once-i-was-struck-by-how-friendly/) [Frankie Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frankie-boyle/) > [The north German does not go in for extremes. He has broader horizons than the men from the mountains of Bavaria and Austria.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-donitz/the-north-german-does-not-go-in-for-extremes-he-has-broader-horizons/) [Karl Donitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-donitz/) > [Italy spills over to everything. Italy is a huge banking system. It has been the major banking system in Eastern Europe. It's worked with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-friedman/italy-spills-over-to-everything-italy-is-a-huge-banking-system-it-has/) [George Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-friedman/) > [You know, I'll tell who's really embraced football is Austria. Austria's really embraced football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leach/you-know-i-ll-tell-who-s-really-embraced-football-is-austria-austria/) [Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) > [I just went off for two months traveling around Europe on a motorcycle and pretty much turned my phone off. I did 5,000 miles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-fassbender/i-just-went-off-for-two-months-traveling-around-europe-on-a/) [Michael Fassbender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-fassbender/) > [Let others wage war. You, lucky Austria, shall marry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-westerfeld/let-others-wage-war-you-lucky-austria-shall-marry/) [Scott Westerfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-westerfeld/) > [I've done an awful lot of skiing all over Europe: I've done Italy, Austria, France. I skied loads in New Zealand - I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/i-ve-done-an-awful-lot-of-skiing-all-over-europe-i-ve-done-italy/) [Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) > [So perhaps the most worrying single remark made by a responsible banking official during the current crisis came from Jochen Sanio, the head of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-walker/so-perhaps-the-most-worrying-single-remark-made-by-a-responsible/) [Martin Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-walker/) > [I played No10 for Austria.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-alaba/i-played-no10-for-austria/) [David Alaba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-alaba/) > [Prussia: freedom of movement with a muzzle. Austria: an isolation cell in which screaming is allowed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/prussia-freedom-of-movement-with-a-muzzle-austria-an-isolation-cell/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [I would definitely return to Austria. They were all good experiences for me, but definitely Austria because there were some ancient Celtic, sacred sites…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/i-would-definitely-return-to-austria-they-were-all-good-experiences/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [I can assure you that Austria will fight all forms of anti-Semitism in Europe with determination, be it still an existing one or also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/i-can-assure-you-that-austria-will-fight-all-forms-of-anti-semitism/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [We are fighting Germany, Austria and drink, and as far as I can see, the greatest of these three deadly foes is drink.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lloyd-george/we-are-fighting-germany-austria-and-drink-and-as-far-as-i-can-see-the/) [David Lloyd George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lloyd-george/) > [Austria is a very export-oriented country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/austria-is-a-very-export-oriented-country/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [I said to the German Ambassador that, as long as there was only a dispute between Austria and Serbia alone, I did not feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-grey/i-said-to-the-german-ambassador-that-as-long-as-there-was-only-a/) [Edward Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-grey/) [Browse all 107 Austria quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/austria/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It took Austria a long time to be honest about its past.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sebastian Kurz" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/it-took-austria-a-long-time-to-be-honest-about-its-past/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Austria" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/it-took-austria-a-long-time-to-be-honest-about-its-past/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e76/sebastian-kurz-6800_austria_it-took-austria-a-long-time-to-be-honest_2761578.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e76/sebastian-kurz-6800_austria_it-took-austria-a-long-time-to-be-honest_2761578.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e76/sebastian-kurz-6800_austria_it-took-austria-a-long-time-to-be-honest_2761578.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It took Austria a long time to be honest about its past.” — Sebastian Kurz", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sebastian Kurz", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It took Austria a long time...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/it-took-austria-a-long-time-to-be-honest-about-its-past/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/it-took-austria-a-long-time-to-be-honest-about-its-past/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```