The Jews have never produced a true poet. Heinrich Heine reached the point where he duped himself into a poet, and was rewarded by his versified lies being set to music by our own composers. He was the conscience of Judaism, just as Judaism is the evil conscience of our modern civilization.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Wagner claims Jews have not produced genuine poetry, seeing Heine as a self‑deceiving poet whose work was turned into music, and portrays Judaism as a corrupt conscience of modern civilization.
- In plain terms
- He says Jews aren’t true poets and that Judaism corrupts modern society.
- What can you take from it?
- Beware of attributing cultural worth to ethnicity.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What evidence supports this claim?
- How does this reflect Wagner’s personal biases?
Another view
The statement is a hateful generalization lacking evidence.
More from Richard Wagner
It is necessary for us to explain the involuntary repugnance we possess for the nature and personality of the Jews....
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Permalink to quote #10 This is Alberich's dream come true -- Nibelheim, world dominion, activity, work, everywhere the oppressive feeling of steam and fog.
Permalink to quote #7
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