Yes, they are carnal, both of them, love and death, and therein lies their terror and their great magic!
Thomas MannIs not life in itself a thing of goodness, irrespective of whether the course it takes for us can be called a 'happy' one?
Thomas MannHas the world ever been changed by anything save the thought and its magic vehicle the Word?
Thomas MannWhat good would politics be, if it didn’t give everyone the opportunity to make moral compromises.
Thomas MannNothing is more curious and awkward than the relationship of two people who only know each other with their eyes — who meet and observe each other daily, even hourly and who keep up the impression of disinterest either because of morals or because of a mental abnormality. Between them there is listlessness and pent-up curiosity, the hysteria of an unsatisfied, unnaturally suppressed need for communion and also a kind of tense respect. Because man loves and honors man as long as he is not able to judge him, and desire is a product of lacking knowledge.
Thomas Mann