Theodor Adorno Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old Theodor Adorno quotes, Theodor Adorno sayings, and Theodor Adorno proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.'

Technology is making gestures precise and brutal, and with them men. Theodor Adorno
History does not merely touch on language, but takes place in it. Theodor Adorno
In many people it is already an impertinence to say 'I'. Theodor Adorno
Intelligence is a moral category. Theodor Adorno
Once the last trace of emotion has been eradicated, nothing remains of thought but absolute tautology. Theodor Adorno
Quality is decided by the depth at which the work incorporates the alternatives within itself, and so master them. Theodor Adorno
He who has loved and who betrays love does harm not only to the image of the past, but to the past itself. Theodor Adorno
Work while you work, play while you play this is a basic rule of repressive self-discipline. Theodor Adorno
Today self-consciousness no longer means anything but reflection on the ego as embarrassment, as realization of impotence: knowing that one is nothing. Theodor Adorno
None of the abstract concepts comes closer to fulfilled utopia than that of eternal peace. Theodor Adorno
In the abstract conception of universal wrong, all concrete responsibility vanishes. Theodor Adorno
Quality is decided by the depth at which the work incorporates the alternatives within itself, and so masters them. Theodor Adorno
All satire is blind to the forces liberated by decay. Which is why total decay has absorbed the forces of satire. Theodor Adorno
The poor are prevented from thinking by the discipline of others, the rich by their own. Theodor Adorno
Fascism is itself less ideological, in so far as it openly proclaims the principle of domination that is elsewhere concealed. Theodor Adorno
Vague expression permits the hearer to imagine whatever suits him and what he already thinks in any case. Theodor Adorno
The darkening of the world makes the irrationality of art rational: radically darkened art. Theodor Adorno
Horror is beyond the reach of psychology. Theodor Adorno
There is no love that is not an echo. Theodor Adorno
In sharp contrasts to traditional art, modern art does not hide the fact that it is something made and produced: on the contrary, it underscores the fact. Theodor Adorno
Today the order of life allows no room for the ego to draw spiritual or intellectual conclusions. The thought which leads to knowledge is neutralized and used as a mere qualification on specific labor markets and to heighten to commodity value of the personality. Theodor Adorno
Love is the power to see similarity in the dissimilar. Theodor Adorno
He who matures early lives in anticipation. Theodor Adorno
Today self-consciousness no longer means anything but reflection on the ego as embarrassment, as realization of impotence knowing that one is nothing. Theodor Adorno