There were thousands of Kantoreks, all of whom were convinced that they were acting for the best–in a way that cost them nothing. And that is why they let us down so badly. …in our hearts we trusted them. The idea of authority, which they represented, was associated in our minds with a greater insight and a more humane wisdom. But the first death we saw shattered this belief. We had to recognize that our generation was more to be trusted than theirs. They surpassed us only in phrases and in cleverness the first bombardment showed us our mistake, and under it the world as they had taught it to us broke in pieces. While they continued to write and talk, we saw the dying. While they taught that duty to one’s country is the greatest thing, we already knew that death-throes are stronger. But for all that we were no mutineers, no deserters, no cowards–they were very free with all these expressions. We loved our country as much as they; we went courageously into every action; but also we distinguished the false from true, we had suddenly learned to see. And we saw that there was nothing of their world left. We were all at once terribly alone; and alone we must see it through. . Erich Maria Remarque
About This Quote

The quote above is said to be by Kurt Tucholsky, a well-known German satirist, critic, and man of letters. He was the son of Jewish parents who raised him in a working-class neighborhood in Berlin. His father was a tailor who also worked as a mechanic. As a child, Kurt learned how to work hard at everything he attempted.

He started writing poetry when he was 14 years old and continued to write throughout his life. After finishing high school at the age of 17, he spent four years at the University of Berlin, but he dropped out to start working for newspapers and magazines in Berlin. He was involved in many political events during this time, including being present at the Christmas Eve 1914 assassination attempt on Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Source: All Quiet On The Western Front

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