The Beggar Student Quotes

“It takes an egomaniac like me to play the fool convincingly.”
― Osamu Dazai, The Beggar Student

“I've been trying to take care good care of myself, but the most that I can show for it is daily rubdowns with cold water. Yet, I assure you, for a knave like me, this is a major undertaking.”
― Osamu Dazai, The Beggar Student

“Is this Valéry guy French?”
“That’s right. He’s a first-rate cultural philosopher.”
“If he’s French, then I’m not interested.”
“Why not?”
“Because they’re losing the war.”
The boy’s big eyes betrayed no sign of tears. Dark pupils cool with laughter.
“French is the language of a ruined nation,” he explained. “Your problem is that you’re too nice, know that? I mean, whatever kind of order this guy Valéry is talking about, it isn’t universal anymore. He’s clinging to an antiquated notion. Way too proud of being French. That’s why they’re going to lose.”
“Come on,” I said, shifting in my seat. “That’s hardly fair.”
“Order, of the right kind, though, is a beautiful thing.”
Ignoring my objections, Saeki spoke with gravitas and a twinkle in his eye, holding the donburi in one hand.
“I can’t trust the order of a Frenchman,” the boy said. “But I can trust the order of a mighty army. What I want is an order verging on brutality. Like having someone tie you to a post. That’s why everyone I know can’t wait to go to war. Who wants a lukewarm independence? Not much different from a leash. I’m telling you, we’re under lock and key. Too much more of this and I’m gonna lose my mind. Being stuck here, on the home front, messes with your head. It’s tough.”
“Listen to you! You’ll stop at nothing to avoid a hard day’s work. A moment of patience is worth a thousand boasts.”
“More like a single deed is worth a thousand words.”
― Osamu Dazai, The Beggar Student

“Most of the time, as long as there is no work to be done, I can be found wrapped in a blanket on the garden porch, too tired to read anything of substance, yawning my life away, maybe reaching for the newspaper to glance over the funny pages, where they run little quizzes, asking things like which of the following animals hatches from an egg: whales, rabbits, frogs, seals, ants, pelicans...”
― Osamu Dazai, The Beggar Student

“Most of the time, as long as there was no work to be done, I can be found wrapped in a blanket on the garden porch, too tired to read anything of substance, yawning my life away, maybe reaching for the newspaper to glance over the funny pages, where they run little quizzes, asking things like which of the following seven animals hatches from an egg: turtles, whales, rabbits, frogs, seals, ants, pelicans... I might even give this a moment's thought, but then I'll yawn so hard that tears will be running down my cheeks. That's when I'll gaze without a care at the sun setting in the fields beyond the yard, enjoying the existence of a man excused from living.”
― Osamu Dazai, The Beggar Student

“Who knew that life was full of such surprises?”
― Osamu Dazai, The Beggar Student

“He stood up tall and started a speech of his own.
'You can count on me, Takeo Kimura. Until a new day dawns on Saeki's-'
'Thanks, Kumamoto, that'll do.'
My patience had evaporated.”
― Osamu Dazai, The Beggar Student