The European Union arose on an economic foundation, and it turns out that even this is not a solid base. Cultural identity has been neglected. Gunter Grass arisebasecultural Change image and share on social
Homeland is something one becomes aware of only through its loss. Gunter Grass awarehomelandloss Change image and share on social
I have heard my fill of hurtful words. I think it's especially egregious when citizens like me, who point out abuses in their country, are referred to as 'do-gooders.' This is how a phrase that can be used to stop an argument dead becomes part of common usage. Gunter Grass abuseargumentcitizen share on social
Even bad books are books and therefore sacred. Gunter Grass badbooksacred Change image and share on social
A writer must face up to the test of reality, including political reality, and that can't be done if he keeps his distance. A literary style cultivated like a hothouse plant may show a certain artificial purity, but it won't really be pure. Gunter Grass artificialcultivatedistance share on social
No idea stays pure. Even the flowering of art isn't pure. And the sun has spots. Gunter Grass artfloweridea Change image and share on social
I'm always astonished by a forest. It makes me realise that the fantasy of nature is much larger than my own fantasy. I still have things to learn. Gunter Grass astonishfantasyforest Change image and share on social
Writers know that sometimes things are there in the drawer for decades before they finally come out and you are capable of writing about them. Gunter Grass capabledecadedrawer Change image and share on social
For me, writing, drawing, and political activism are three separate pursuits; each has its own intensity. I happen to be especially attuned to and engaged with the society in which I live. Both my writing and my drawing are invariably mixed up with politics, whether I want them to be or not. Gunter Grass activismattunedraw share on social
I did not volunteer for the Waffen SS, but was, as were thousands of my year group, conscripted. I did not then know as a 17-year-old that it was a criminal unit. I thought it was an elite unit. Gunter Grass conscriptcriminalelite Change image and share on social