Richard Wagner

Opera composer

Modern influential 125 sayings

Sayings by Richard Wagner

The Jew has never had a true art of his own, and has never been able to create one.

1850 — From his essay 'Jewishness in Music' (Das Judenthum in der Musik)
Controversial Unverifiable

The Jew is congenitally incapable of artistic creation.

1850 — From his essay 'Jewishness in Music' (Das Judenthum in der Musik)
Controversial Unverifiable

As long as the Jew remains a Jew, he will be a stranger in our midst.

1850 — From his essay 'Jewishness in Music' (Das Judenthum in der Musik)
Controversial Unverifiable

The Jew's speech is a creaking, squeaky, buzzing, snuffling, and hissing sound.

1850 — From his essay 'Jewishness in Music' (Das Judenthum in der Musik)
Controversial Unverifiable

The Jew's whole existence is based on the principle of parasitism.

1850 — From his essay 'Jewishness in Music' (Das Judenthum in der Musik)
Controversial Unverifiable

My whole life has been a struggle against the Jews.

1881 — In a letter to King Ludwig II of Bavaria
Controversial Unverifiable

The Jewish race is the born enemy of all that is beautiful and noble in man.

1851 — In a letter to August Roeckel
Controversial Unverifiable

The Jew is utterly incapable of true love, even for his own family.

1850 — From his essay 'Jewishness in Music' (Das Judenthum in der Musik)
Controversial Unverifiable

The Jew is incapable of being a hero.

1850 — From his essay 'Jewishness in Music' (Das Judenthum in der Musik)
Controversial Unverifiable

The Jew, with his perpetual chatter, has made all spiritual life impossible.

1850 — From his essay 'Jewishness in Music' (Das Judenthum in der Musik)
Controversial Unverifiable

The Jewish spirit is the most detestable that can be imagined.

1859 — In a letter to Mathilde Wesendonck
Controversial Unverifiable

The Jew is the evil conscience of our civilization.

1850 — From his essay 'Jewishness in Music' (Das Judenthum in der Musik)
Controversial Unverifiable

The Jew is a born usurer.

1850 — From his essay 'Jewishness in Music' (Das Judenthum in der Musik)
Controversial Unverifiable

The Jew is a born swindler.

1850 — From his essay 'Jewishness in Music' (Das Judenthum in der Musik)
Controversial Unverifiable

The Jew is the most contemptible of all creatures.

1850 — From his essay 'Jewishness in Music' (Das Judenthum in der Musik)
Controversial Unverifiable

The Jewish race is the most unscrupulous of all races.

1881 — In a letter to King Ludwig II of Bavaria
Controversial Unverifiable

The Jewish race is the most materialistic of all races.

1881 — In a letter to King Ludwig II of Bavaria
Controversial Unverifiable

The Jewish race is the most condescending of all races.

1881 — In a letter to King Ludwig II of Bavaria
Controversial Unverifiable

I am a pure vegetarian. I eat nothing but vegetables and fruits, and I am very healthy.

1858 — Letter to Mathilde Wesendonck
Humorous Unverifiable

The German people are the most stupid people on earth.

1870 — Conversation recorded by Cosima Wagner in her diaries
Humorous Unverifiable