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
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
Memory likes to play hide-and-seek, to crawl away. It tends to hold forth, to dress up, often needlessly. Memory contradicts itself; pedant that it is, it will have its way. Gunter Grass contradictcrawldress 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
I think it's a shame that we have 'Bild' like you have the 'Sun'. Now serious newspapers like 'FAZ' and 'Spiegel' use a bit of the tone of 'Bild.' This is terrible. Gunter Grass bildbitefaz Change image and share on social
If we take into account the existence of our planet, we have to recognise that we are guests that spend a short and very determined period in this world, and all we leave behind is nuclear waste. Gunter Grass accountdetermineexistence Change image and share on social
We cannot get by Auschwitz. We should not even try, as great as the temptation is, because Auschwitz belongs to us, is branded into our history, and - to our benefit! - has made possible an insight that could be summarized as, 'Now we finally know ourselves.' Gunter Grass auschwitzbelongbenefit share on social
I have often supported Israel, I have often visited the country and want the country to exist and at last find peace with its neighbours. Gunter Grass countryexistfind Change image and share on social
I can only write a book like 'The Tin Drum' or 'From the Diary of a Snail' at a special period of my life. The books came about because of how I felt and thought at the time. Gunter Grass bookdiarydrum Change image and share on social
Prose, poetry, and drawings stand side by side in a very democratic way in my work. Gunter Grass democraticdrawingpoetry Change image and share on social
