“Wisdom is knowing which bridges to burn
— and then turning it into a barbecue.”
— Helmutt Churchill
About Helmutt Churchill & the Quote
Helmutt Churchill (b. 1940, Leipzig) survived war, rationing, and three consecutive decades of mildly disappointing sausages. A master of metaphors and charcoal-fuelled epiphanies, this quote reflects his playful yet sharp philosophy: sometimes the act of destruction is also one of creation — particularly if it results in grilled bratwurst.
In his 1983 lecture “Flammable Ethics and Other Considerations” at the University of Tübingen, Helmutt expanded on this: “Not all bridges are built for crossing. Some are built for closure — and sausages.”
To Churchill, wisdom wasn’t just about restraint. It was about timing. And lighter fluid.
This quote reminds us that when we burn our bridges, we might as well roast something while we’re at it. Preferably with mustard.
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