A story is not finished, until it has taken the worst turn.
• As translated by James Kirkup; also quoted in CurtainUp Reviews, Williamstown Theatre Festival (Summer 2007) by Elyse Sommer
• As translated by James Kirkup; also quoted in CurtainUp Reviews, Williamstown Theatre Festival (Summer 2007) by Elyse Sommer
“
Eine Geschichte ist dann zu Ende gedacht, wenn sie ihre schlimmstmögliche Wendung genommen hat.
• Variant translation: A story is thought through to the end when it has taken its worst possible turn.
— Friedrich Dürrenmatt
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "Eine Geschichte ist dann zu Ende gedacht, wenn sie ihre schlimmstmögliche Wendung genommen hat.
• Variant translation: A story is thought through to the end when it has taken its worst possible turn." in the context of "A story is not finished, until it has taken the worst turn.
• As translated by James Kirkup; also quoted in CurtainUp Reviews, Williamstown Theatre Festival (Summer 2007) by Elyse Sommer" to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Friedrich Dürrenmatt" (Quotes, The Physicists (1961): Die Physiker (1961); translated into English as The Physicists (1964) by James Kirkup )
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
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About Friedrich Dürrenmatt
Friedrich Dürrenmatt (5 January 1921 – 14 December 1990) was a Swiss author and dramatist.
About Friedrich Dürrenmatt
Friedrich Dürrenmatt (5 January 1921 – 14 December 1990) was a Swiss author and dramatist.
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