Everybody thinks they know what art should be. But very few of them have the sense that is necessary to experience painting, that is the sense of sight, that sees colors and forms as living reality in the picture.
Otto DixRead
I had to experience how someone beside me suddenly falls over and is dead and the bullet has hit him squarely. I had to experience that quite directly. I wanted it. I'm therefore not a pacifist at all - or am I?
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the harsh realities of war and the moral complexities it creates in individuals.
Otto Dix's quote reveals the traumatic experience of witnessing death in war, suggesting a confrontation with mortality that can challenge a person's beliefs about violence and pacifism. In grappling with the intense emotions and moral dilemmas that arise from such experiences, he questions his own stance on pacifism, indicating that the realities of life and death can complicate ideals about peace.
Themes
WarDeathPacifismMoralityViolence
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the psychological impacts of war during a lecture.
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Sometimes people try to destroy you, precisely because they recognize your power - not because they don't see it, but because they see it and they don't want it to exist.
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It was strictly forbidden to preach to other prisoners. It was understood that whoever was caught doing this received a severe beating. A number of us decided to pay the price for the privilege of preaching, so we accepted their [the communists' ] terms. It was a deal; we preached and they beat us. We were happy preaching. They were happy beating us, so everyone was happy.
Richard WurmbrandRead