(?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)
Thomas Mann

“What did one see if one looked in any depth into the world of this writer's fiction? Elegant self-control concealing from the world's eyes until the very last moment a state of inner disintegration and biological decay; sallow ugliness, sensuously marred and worsted, which nevertheless is able to fan its smouldering concupiscence to a pallid impotence, which from the glowing depths of the spirit draws strength to cast down a whole proud people at the foot of the Cross and set its own foot upon them as well; gracious poise and composure in the empty austere service of form; the false, dangerous life of the born deceiver, his ambition and his art which lead so soon to exhaustion ---”

Thomas Mann, Death in Venice and Other Tales
Read more quotes from Thomas Mann


Share this quote:
Share on Twitter

Friends Who Liked This Quote

To see what your friends thought of this quote, please sign up!


This Quote Is From

Death in Venice and Other Tales Death in Venice and Other Tales by Thomas Mann
16,137 ratings, average rating, 452 reviews
Open Preview

Browse By Tag