To say 'we' and mean 'I' is one of the most recondite insults.

Quote by Theodor Adorno

Topics: Theodor Adorno Quotes

Every work of art is an uncommitted crime.

Every work of art is an uncommitted crime.

The recent past always presents itself as if destroyed by catastrophes.

The recent past always presents itself as if destroyed by catastrophes.

He who has laughter on his side has no need of proof.

He who has laughter on his side has no need of proof.

If time is money, it seems moral to save time, above all one's own, and...

If time is money, it seems moral to save time, above all one's own, and...

Normality is death.

Normality is death.

The culture industry not so much adapts to the reactions of its customers as it...

The culture industry not so much adapts to the reactions of its customers as it...

The most powerful person is he who is able to do least himself and burden...

The most powerful person is he who is able to do least himself and burden...

In his state of complete powerlessness the individual perceives the time he has left to...

In his state of complete powerlessness the individual perceives the time he has left to...

Dialectic thought is an attempt to break through the coercion of logic by its own...

Dialectic thought is an attempt to break through the coercion of logic by its own...

History does not merely touch on language, but takes place in it.

History does not merely touch on language, but takes place in it.

None of the abstract concepts comes closer to fulfilled utopia than that of eternal peace.

None of the abstract concepts comes closer to fulfilled utopia than that of eternal peace.

Today self-consciousness no longer means anything but reflection on the ego as embarrassment, as realization...

Today self-consciousness no longer means anything but reflection on the ego as embarrassment, as realization...

Proletarian language is dictated by hunger. The poor chew words to fill their bellies.

Proletarian language is dictated by hunger. The poor chew words to fill their bellies.

Art is magic delivered from the lie of being truth.

Art is magic delivered from the lie of being truth.

Once the last trace of emotion has been eradicated, nothing remains of thought but absolute...

Once the last trace of emotion has been eradicated, nothing remains of thought but absolute...

Freedom would be not to choose between black and white but to abjure such prescribed...

Freedom would be not to choose between black and white but to abjure such prescribed...

No harm comes to man from outside alone: dumbness is the objective spirit.

No harm comes to man from outside alone: dumbness is the objective spirit.

For a man who no longer has a homeland, writing becomes a place to live.

For a man who no longer has a homeland, writing becomes a place to live.

The individual mirrors in his individuation the preordained social laws of exploitation, however mediated.

The individual mirrors in his individuation the preordained social laws of exploitation, however mediated.

Estrangement shows itself precisely in the elimination of distance between people.

Estrangement shows itself precisely in the elimination of distance between people.