George Konrad Quotes

A collection of quotes by George Konrad.

George Konrad, born on April 2, 1933, in Berettyóújfalu, Hungary, was a renowned Hungarian author, essayist, and political activist. He played a significant role in shaping the intellectual landscape of post-World War II Hungary and was highly regarded for his critical writings on politics, ideology, and the human condition.

Konrad's upbringing and experiences during the tumultuous years of the Hungarian Revolution in 1956 deeply influenced his perspectives on socialism and totalitarianism. He studied literature and sociology at the Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest and later worked as a writer and editor for several literary journals.

His novels, including "The Case Worker" (1969) and "The City Builder" (1977), garnered international acclaim for their insightful exploration of political oppression and the individual's struggle for freedom. Konrad's writing reflected his own encounters with censorship and state control, making him a leading voice in the Hungarian dissident movement.

Beyond his literary achievements, Konrad actively participated in political and social activism. He co-founded the democratic opposition movement in Hungary in the 1980s and played a crucial role in the country's transition to democracy. He also served as the president of the Berlin-based Heinrich Böll Foundation, which promotes democracy, gender equality, and human rights worldwide.

George Konrad's extensive literary contributions, combined with his unwavering commitment to social justice, solidified his reputation as one of Hungary's foremost intellectuals. His ideas continue to resonate today, offering valuable insights into the complexities of human existence and the quest for individual freedom and democracy. George Konrad passed away on September 13, 2019, leaving behind a profound legacy.

You take a number of small steps which you believe are right

You take a number of small steps which you believe are right, thinking maybe tomorrow somebody will treat this as a dangerous provocation. And then you wait. If there is no reaction, you take another step: courage is only an accumulation of small steps.

George Konrad

Bravery

Many people feel empty, a world that seemed so strong just c

Many people feel empty, a world that seemed so strong just collapsed. Forty years have been wasted on stupid strife for the sake of an unsuccessful experiment. The values gathered together have vanished, the strategies for survival have become ridiculous. And so forty years of our lives have become a story, a bad anecdote. But it may be possible to remember these adventures with a kind of irony.

George Konrad

Communism

I believe that it is my job not only to write books but to h

I believe that it is my job not only to write books but to have them published. A book is like a child. You have to defend the life of a child.

George Konrad

Authors & Writing