Bernhard Schlink on callousness
Bernhard Schlink42 quotes“Sometimes all it took was a scene in a movie. This juxtaposition of callousness and extreme sensitivity seemed suspicious even to me.”
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More from Bernhard Schlink
When an airplane’s engines fail, it is not the end of the flight.
Bernhard SchlinkBernhard Schlink She was struggling, as she always had struggled, not to show what she could do but to hide what she couldn’t do. A life made up of advances that were actually frantic retreats and victories that were concealed defeats.
Bernhard SchlinkBernhard Schlink As an author, you can’t expect a movie to be an illustration of the book. If that’s what you hope for, you shouldn’t sell the rights.
Bernhard SchlinkBernhard Schlink She was struggling, as she always had struggled, not to show what she could do but to hide what she couldn’t do. A life made up of advances that were actually frantic retreats and victories that were concealed defeats.
Bernhard SchlinkBernhard Schlink Now to escape involves not just running away, but arriving somewhere.
Bernhard SchlinkBernhard Schlink It was more dangerous not to go; I was running the risk of becoming trapped in my own fantasies. So I was doing the right thing by going. She would behave normally, I would behave normally, and everything would be normal again.
Bernhard SchlinkBernhard Schlink …I had to point at Hanna. But the finger I pointed at her turned back to me. I had loved her. I tried to tell myself that I had known nothing of what she had done when I chose her.
Bernhard SchlinkBernhard Schlink Philosophy has forgotten about children
Bernhard SchlinkBernhard Schlink I certainly know German colleagues in the US who try to be Americans, try to melt into Americanism, even before they get married and become American citizens. But I’ve never tried that.
Bernhard SchlinkBernhard Schlink People who commit monstrous crimes are not necessarily monsters. If they were, things would be easy. But they aren’t and it is one of the experiences of life.
Bernhard SchlinkBernhard Schlink There’s no need to talk about it, because the truth of what one says lies in what one does.
Bernhard SchlinkBernhard Schlink In the past, I had particularly loved her smell. She always smelled freshed, freshly washed or of freshed laundry or fresh sweat or freshly loved
Bernhard SchlinkBernhard Schlink I will be the only angel you need. You will leave life even more beautiful than you entered it. Heaven will take you back and look at you and say: Only one thing can make a soul complete and that thing is love.
Bernhard SchlinkBernhard Schlink Sometimes I had the feeling that she hurt herself when she turned cold and rigid. As if what she was yearning for was the warmth of my apologies, protestations, and entreaties. Sometimes I thought she just bullied me. But either way, I had no choice.
Bernhard SchlinkBernhard Schlink I can’t say I’m thankful about being German because I sometimes experience it as a huge burden. But it is an integral part of me and I wouldn’t want to escape it. I have accepted it.
Bernhard SchlinkBernhard Schlink There’s this old saying that, if you aren’t particularly gifted in natural sciences, if you don’t want to become a teacher or pastor or doctor, and don’t know what else to do, then you become a lawyer. But I’ve never regretted it.
Bernhard SchlinkBernhard Schlink
Original quotes
From our community writers
Poetry is the voice of the soul and the inspiration of the heart.
Teresa PeresTeresa Peres But it was now time for her to go away-to find someone who could show her what happiness was.
Lang LeavLang Leav Just because you haven’t seen how wonderful, beautiful, and special she is, doesn’t mean no one else will.
Norah RoseNorah Rose A memory is a star or a stain.
Aneena BijuAneena Biju Love her, but don’t forget to leave her wild.
Little PaulsonLittle Paulson Do your own thing and live your way of happiness.
Emily BockEmily Bock I’ve experienced departure far too much to have the courage and call anyone my own.
Mira R. AridiMira R. Aridi More often than I am not, all I need is the rise of my own lungs – I am already complete.
Shelby EnsignShelby Ensign
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More on callousness
I’ve learned I don’t like being around people too much.
Aesop RockAesop Rock Too bad your inner sheep never forgets to follow.
Aesop RockAesop Rock I’m just tryin to be somebody I can talk to in the morning with a smile.
Aesop RockAesop Rock We the American working population Hate the nine-to-five, day-in day-out When we’d rather be supporting ourselves By being paid to perfect the pastimes That we have harbored based solely on the fact That it makes us smile if it sounds dope.
Aesop RockAesop Rock I don’t think that there’s a problem with being too concerned about videogames, especially for me, because I’m not in the industry. I’m just a consumer. But hip-hop is constantly like, “What are you doing for the scene?”
Aesop RockAesop Rock Honestly, I don’t feel pressure to live up to anything I’ve done because I tend to not listen to my work once a year passes.
Aesop RockAesop Rock You can’t get someone to like something they aren’t feeling. After you press play, there isn’t anything you can do.
Aesop RockAesop Rock I knew what I wanted, and did it till it was done. So I’ve been the dream I wanted to be since Day One.
Aesop RockAesop Rock
