Here are some exact quotes (indicated by “ “) and thoughts/observations (indicated by >) from this book.
“The tale of the slaughterer who wasn’t allowed to blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah. The poor fellow went to the Rebbe and wept. ‘Rebbe, Rebbe, why won’t they let me blow on Rosh Hashanah?’ The Rebbe said, ‘I heard that you didn’t immerse yourself in the purifying waters of the mikveh.’ So the slaughterer began to apologize, ‘Rebbe, the water was cold, oy was it cold, Rebbe!’ And the Rebbe retorted, ‘Oyf kalts blutz men nisht! If it’s cold you don’t blow!’”
“The statesman used to lecture before such insignificant branches to show that he was not above addressing meagre audiences.” (47)
> The villagers don’t have leaders or committees or politics. Each just does his job. Extra “power” is seen as more work/responsibility. For example, the barber who is tasked with making up the list of items needed each month. He does so because everyone comes to him to be shaved, and he himself doesn’t ever have to wait in line to be shaved, so it makes sense. No one is more important, and things they don’t need they don’t have.
“The cobbler is promising the village a well if he’s appointed mayer.”
“But there isn’t a drop of water under the ground in these mountains.”
“He’s not promising water, gentlemen, he’s promising a well.” (67)
> The committee decides to build a mayor’s office even though there is no need for a mayor. To do this, they create a tax. How should they tax the people? They try to think of something that none of them (those on the committee) have, and decide to impose a tax on 3-door wardrobes. They then discover that no one has a 3-door wardrobe! So they alter the tax to be for those who are deemed able to afford one, but since everyone is pretty much equal, this is decided by lottery.
> Dulnikker creates a feud/disagreement/problem where none had been before, then pats himself on the back for helping to find a solution (which then in turn leads to new issues).
> Dulnikker “trains” a police chief (for which there is no need currently) and tells him one piece of important advice: “One witness by himself is not a witness.” Later this police chief beats someone up and must open an investigation on himself. As he is the only witness, he is forced to drop the case.
“...held shamefully dusty prayerbooks.” (145)
“Do you fools think the Master of the Universe needs your prayers? No, my friends! … He will ask whom did you vote for in the municipal elections.” (146)
> Use of religion/fear for political gain.
> First, the village folk don’t need (or even understand) Dulnikker. Then he convinces them that they need/want stuff, which leads to problems, and they need his help to fix/progress. Finally, they decide they don’t need/want his help, as they have learned enough to go at it on their own, and they kick him out.
> Betrayal: Not hatred, heaven forbid. Rather he sought to consolidate commercial ties by means of the courteous gesture (i.e. stabbing one person in the back to become closer to his enemy). (176)
“The counsellors were also sensitive to the criticism, but that would not have worried them a jot if it were not for the approaching elections.” (177)
“If they didn’t have to pay the veterinarian (doctor) they’d all be sick.” (178)
Educational Reform: The parents became angry that the school teacher had an opinion on who would win the election and told the students. So they decided to split up the classes based on which “party” the parents agreed with. They said this would lessen the disputes, but actually lead to more intense rivalry. (185)
“So long as I am your mayor you’ll honour me, otherwise I’ll have my police force throw you out of here.” (190)
> Dulnikker retells history differently each time. For example, his secretary plotted to kidnap him and get him out of the town, but this plot failed. Dulnikker wanted to stay and insisted. Later, when Dulnikker is trying to get out, he blames the secretary for failing at the plot. And by the end he’s saying that the secretary had tried to prevent him from leaving. (201)
“Having comprised his farewell letter in a publishable style…” (203)
> everything is politics; deception, propaganda, fake.
“This was the great art he wished to learn from the great speaker: The divine power to speak, unlimited by time and space, each sentence a sentence, every word in its place, yet without expressing a single substantial concept.” (225)
>Loyalty to a completely arbitrary and meaningless party/ideology/slogan. Feuds and hatred formed, even though no one knew what they’re fighting for.