Charles Monologue from The Robbers

From The Robbers by Friedrich Schiller

male · philosophical · 1:20 min

Just what I say. All will be destroyed. Why should man prosper in that which he has in common with the ant, while he fails in that which places him on a level with the gods. Or is this the aim and limit of his destiny? (SCHWARZ: I know not.) Thou hast said well; and wilt have done better, if thou never seekest to know. Brother, I have looked on men, their insect cares and their giant projects,--their god-like plans and mouse-like occupations, their intensely eager race after happiness--one trusting to the fleetness of his horse,--another to the nose of his ass,--a third to his own legs; this checkered lottery of life, in which so many stake their innocence and their leaven to snatch a prize, and,--blanks are all they draw--for they find, too late, that there was no prize in the wheel. It is a drama, brother, enough to bring tears into your eyes, while it shakes your sides with laughter.

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