17 Quotes & Sayings By Elfriede Jelinek

Elfriede Jelinek is a widely acclaimed Austrian-born playwright, author and poet. She has been described by the New York Times as "the most uncompromising and daring female playwright in Europe." Her plays—which include both novels and monologues—have been translated into twenty languages. Her work has been praised by critics and producers alike, including Peter Brook, Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter, John Osborne, Edward Bond, Harold Pinter, Peter Brook, Maureen Lipman and Patrick Marber.

1
Ah, lust! How one would like to make it the cornerstone of self! But I wouldn't go ahead and build on it if I were you. Elfriede Jelinek
2
The moment workers can afford too little they rebel. The last time this was a real danger was 1950. Communists took advantage of supply problems and stirred up gullible people against their very own country. Elfriede Jelinek
3
No art can possibly comfort HER then, even though art is credited with so many things, especially an ability to offer solace. Sometimes, of course, art creates the suffering in the first place. Elfriede Jelinek
4
She will prolong her life by the length of her story, even though time will wear on inexorably as she tells it, thus depriving her of the chance to have a new experience. Elfriede Jelinek
5
Sunday, the day for the language of leisure. Elfriede Jelinek
6
I only enjoy what I can see, because I don't feel anything. For example, your new wallpaper. I like it and it can stay, it's quiet and it keeps quiet at least. Luckily I don't have to feel it, just see it. Elfriede Jelinek
7
Many young people are still driven to art, as in olden times. Most of them are driven by their parents, who know nothing about art–only that it exists. Elfriede Jelinek
8
I, however, have really never been anywhere yet, not because some sins or other could wrap themselves around me there, but because I'd rather sin at home, where God even announces the weather to me in advance on TV, slowly, so that I can write it down, in case it's worth the proper guilt. Sinning is enough, there's no need for surprises as well. Elfriede Jelinek
9
The Ph.D is one of the chosen who know that some things can never be fathomed, no matter how hard you try. What good are explanations? There is no possibility of explaining how such a work [Mozart's Requiem, in the instance] could ever have come into being. (The same holds true for certain poems, which should not be analyzed either.) Elfriede Jelinek
10
Her body is one big refrigerator, where Art is well stored. Elfriede Jelinek
11
The mob not only grabs hold of art without being entitled to do so, but it also enters the artist. It takes up residence inside the artist and smashes a few holes in the wall, windows to the outer world: The mob wants to be seen. Elfriede Jelinek
12
Stealing isn't so easy, often it's hard work, otherwise we'd all be doing it. Elfriede Jelinek
13
Money never goes out of fashion. Elfriede Jelinek
14
Everyone wants to look for something of their own, a house of their own, a child of their own, a partner of their own, entirely for themselves alone. No one is satisfied with a room of their own any more. Elfriede Jelinek
15
A woman who becomes famous through her work reduces her erotic value. A woman is permitted to chat or babble, but speaking in public with authority is still the greatest transgression. Elfriede Jelinek
16
It could draw from a greater reservoir of freedom. The irony could develop an even greater ease. Elfriede Jelinek