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The most powerful urge known to Man is the urge to be free of manual labour. Any means that accomplishes that end is fine. Some people erroneously imagine that they have a birthright to non-manual work.

— Elfriede Jelinek Wonderful, Wonderful Times (1990)

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More quotes by Elfriede Jelinek

Nothing is natural, yet everything is as it is by nature.

Wonderful, Wonderful Times (1990)

I don’t know if it’s enough for a whole life, a man wants to enjoy many women, a man is different.

Women As Lovers (1994)

Intellectuals will still go on emphasizing free will even when they’ve got nothing left to eat.

Wonderful, Wonderful Times (1990)

First the masters died, now their music is dying, because people only want to listen to pop, rock, and punk.

The Piano Teacher (1988)

Happiness happens by chance, and is not a law or the logical consequences of actions.

Women As Lovers (1994)

All Elfriede Jelinek quotes →

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Elfriede Jelinek (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.