Death in Venice Quotes

Alfred: Truth? Justice? Human dignity? What good are they?

Alfred: Do you know what lies at the bottom of the mainstream? Mediocrity.

Gustav von Aschenbach: You must never smile like that. You must never smile like that at anyone.

Gustav von Aschenbach: I remember we had one of these in my father's house. The aperture through which the sand runs is so tiny that... that first it seems as if the level in the upper glass never changes. To our eyes it appears that the sand runs out only... only at the end... and until it does, it's not worth thinking about... 'til the last moment... when there's no more time left to think about it.

Gustav von Aschenbach: You cannot reach the spirit with the senses. You cannot. It's only by complete domination of the senses that you can ever achieve wisdom, truth, and human dignity.

Alfred: In all the world, there is no impurity so impure as old age.

Gustav von Aschenbach: What is this filthy smell? It's everywhere in the city. What is it?

Gustav von Aschenbach: Why are they disinfecting Venice?

Gustav von Aschenbach: I've been trying to find out, no one will tell me the truth, they are disinfecting Venice. Do you know why?

Travel Agent: Week by week there are more deaths. It's quite impossible to count the number of the dead.

Travel Agent: Well, people all know, of course, they are terrified. But, they're silent. And do you know why? Summer! Tourists! The whole business of Venice is tourists. Can you imagine Venice without tourists? Well, it would be more desolate than in the winter.

Travel Agent: You would be very well advised to leave today, sir. Don't wait til tomorrow.

Gustav von Aschenbach: Madame, will you permit an entire stranger, to serve you with a word of advice and warning, which self-interests prevents others from saying. Go away! Go away, immediately. Don't delay. Please, I beg you.

Gustav von Aschenbach: Venice is gripped by pestilence!

Alfred: Wisdom. Truth. Human Dignity. All finished! Now there is no reason why you cannot go to your grave with your music.

Alfred: You have achieved perfect balance: the man and the artist are one. They have touched bottom together.

Alfred: You never possessed chastity. Chastity is the gift of purity not the painful result of old age and you are *old* Gustav.