Heinrich Boll. Irish diary (№ 237134)

When we in Germany, something happens - the person missed the train, broke his leg, went bankrupt, finally we say, "There just couldn't be". Every time that happens now, is the worst. The Irish almost the opposite: if here the man broke his leg, missed the train, broke, finally, they say: "It could be worse" - "Could be worse" instead of legs could break my neck instead of a train is to miss the Kingdom of heaven, and instead of the state losing peace of mind (itself is the loss of state does not give this the slightest reason). What happened, is never the worst - the worst never happens.