Socialism, communism, collectivism, parliamentarism,--all these have one and the same end: to put men on an equality; and in proportion as that end is approached, so will art in every shape languish.

Art, gentlemen, is nourished upon inequalities and injustices!" ("Ach!"-- "Wie kann man so etwas sagen!"-- "Hoch! verissime!") "I am not representing this as either good or bad.

It may be well that justice should be established, even though art perish.

I simply state a fact!" ("Doch!"-- "Erlauben Sie!") "Supremacy of the vulgar interest means supremacy of ignoble judgment in all matters of mind.

See what plutocracy already makes of art!" Here one of the Germans insisted on a hearing; a fine fellow, with Samsonic locks and a ringing voice.
"Sir! sir! who talks of a genuine democracy with mankind in its present state?
Before it comes about, the multitude will be instructed, exalted, emancipated, humanized!" "Sir!" shouted Marsh, "who talks of the Millennium?
I speak of things possible within a few hundred years.