- Odon von Horvath: I never understood why the love of humanity in general should so often be accompanied by a profound dislike of the individual.
- Bertolt Brecht: It's this disgusting passivity... You people don't realize that it's not enough in the theatre to interpret the world anymore. You have to change it!
- Odon von Horvath: I really think you underestimate the people's intelligence. They don't want blue-prints, they don't want instructions... They've been told everyday what to do; they don't want to go to the theatre and be told what to do all over again: they want to be shown who they are!
- Odon von Horvath: After all, civilization depends - does it not? - upon the awareness of the sufferings of others?
- Bertolt Brecht: Civilization? No! Civilization is four kinds of wine, three kinds of forks. It's a device to maintain the bourgeoisie's sense of superiority.
- Odon von Horvath: No, that's snobbery. That's something different.
- Bertolt Brecht: Listen, I've got people to see. I can't stand around here all day quibbling over vocabulary.
- Odon von Horvath: Then, perhaps it's best if we agree to respect our differences.
- Bertolt Brecht: Well, that's the most boring suggestion I've heard all week. You can respect my differences if you like. I despise yours.
- Odon von Horvath: I see you like winning arguments.
- Bertolt Brecht: I just did, didn't I?... Certainly no point in coming second.
- Odon von Horvath: Well, that's the American way...