I wanted to post this because the historical context struck me. The author is Franz Marc, writing a proposed preface to a second edition to the expressionist text Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider), which chronicled the art of the Der Blaue Reiter group from 1912-14. This preface was written at the very beginning of World War One, a conflict in which Marc himself was killed, in 1916.
This is quoted in its entirety – emphasis mine to highlight key sections.
‘Foreword’ to the planned second volume of Der Blaue Reiter, trans. K. Lankheit, reprinted in Art in Theory: 1900-2000. ed. Harrison and Wood pp. 158-159
“Once more and many times more we are trying to divert the attention of ardent men from the nice and pretty illusion inherited from the olden days toward existence, horrible and resounding.
Whenever the leaders of the crowds turn right, we turn left; when they point to a goal, we turn our backs; whenever they warn us against we hurry toward.
The world is crammed to suffocation. On every stone man has put the brand of his cleverness. Every word is leased or invested. When can man do for salvation buy give up everything and flee? What but draw a line between yesterday and today?