Theodor W. Adorno Quotes

It is with our passions as it is with fire and water, they are good servants, but bad masters.

I am a believer in discipline; it takes a lot to do well. You need discipline for those little excursions into the chaotic that make life interesting.

I have to think of moderation, which is not a word that's in my vocabulary. But I try.

You don't try to do more than you should.

Physical nature lies at our feet shackled with a hundred chains. What of the control of human nature? Do not point to the triumphs of psychiatry, social services or the war against crime. Domination of human nature can only mean the domination of every man by himself.

The only discipline that lasts is self-discipline.

There is only one sort of discipline, perfect discipline.

It's all right letting yourself go, as long as you can get yourself back.

A good heavy book holds you down. It's an anchor that keeps you from getting up and having another gin and tonic.

I need to rein myself in sometimes.

Naturally, business and pleasure can be readily combined, but a certain balance should exist, and the latter should not predominate over the former.

There is a time and a place for things. Sometimes one needs to put a filter on oneself. That can be a good thing.

Temperance is a mean with regard to pleasures.

When you're going bad, sometimes you need to relax more. I've always been intense. I didn't need to be more intense.

I'm a very, very disciplined person.

I hold a lot of things in. I'm always making sure everybody is okay. I usually don't rage; I usually don't curse. So for me, it's a great thing to be able to scream and say whatever I want.

Order is a great person's need and their true well being.

Only actions give life strength; only moderation gives it charm.

Moderation is never something I've been good at.

Moderation is the silken string running through the pearl chain of all virtues.

A little more moderation would be good. Of course, my life hasn't exactly been one of moderation.

Everything in moderation - that's what I live by.

Everything is about balance. You can't work, work, work, work without any play.

I get restless easily so I always want to keep working, but I am trying to pace it as well.

We’re becoming an undisciplined people …