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About this quote

What does it mean?
Brecht observes that being evil is mentally and physically draining.
In plain terms
It is hard work to be a bad person.
What can you take from it?
Recognize the toll of malevolence.

Where it applies

  • ethical reflection
  • conflict resolution
  • storytelling

Putting it to work

  • analyzing villainy
  • practicing empathy
  • studying behavior

Questions to consider

  • Is evil exhausting or easy?
  • Can you pity a bad person?

Another view

This might excuse harmful actions as mere exertion.

More from Bertolt Brecht

  1. Mixing one's wines may be a mistake, but old and new wisdom mix admirably.

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  2. It is not enough to demand insight and informative images of reality from the theater. Our theater must stimulate a desire for understanding, a delight in chan…

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  3. The more innocent they are, the more they deserve to be shot.

    Permalink to quote #13

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