A while back I quoted some aphorisms by Hans von Fraugroppe (1826–1912). I believed then that all his surviving aphorisms had been collected and collated, but from Austria and Germany occasional items have been unearthed and sent to me. A few, although funny, were disgusting and will not appear here. Others were what would be expected from an uncompromising reactionary dictator-in-waiting. However, most of the present aphorisms, with two exceptions – the first and the last – are unexpectedly non-violent. They show Hans had a wider vision locked within his apparently steely soul.
• ‘Oh, well,’ shrugged the dictator. ‘If they won’t join you, beat them.’
• The flirting came to nothing. My woman friend allowed me to embrace only her ideals.