Anton Chekhov

Playwright, Short Story Writer

Anton Chekhov was a Russian playwright and short story writer, known for his keen insights into human psychology and social issues, particularly in works like 'The Seagull.'

Born
January 29, 1860
Died
July 15, 1904
Quotes
433
Rank
#87

About Anton Chekhov

Anton Chekhov — Life and Legacy

Anton Chekhov, a pivotal figure in Russian literature, is celebrated for his profound exploration of human emotions and societal dynamics. His works, such as 'The Cherry Orchard' and 'The Seagull,' delve into the complexities of life, often highlighting the paradoxes of human nature. Chekhov's belief that 'Man is what he believes' encapsulates his view that personal convictions shape our realities, urging readers to reflect on their beliefs and identities. His writing style, characterized by subtlety and nuance, challenges conventional narrative forms, emphasizing the importance of everyday experiences over grandiose events. Chekhov's assertion that 'Any idiot can face a crisis; it’s the day-to-day living that wears you out' illustrates his understanding of the often-overlooked struggles of daily life, revealing a deep empathy for the human condition. Today, Chekhov's quotes resonate with readers, reflecting timeless truths about life, art, and interpersonal relationships. His ability to capture the essence of human experience continues to influence writers and thinkers, making his insights as relevant now as they were in his time.

Quote collection

Anton Chekhov quotes (page 1 of 22)

433 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Anton Chekhov Playwright, Short Story Writer
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"Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out."

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"Love, friendship and respect do not unite people as much as common hatred for something."

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"Do silly things. Foolishness is a great deal more vital and healthy than our straining and striving after a meaningful life."

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"Everything on earth is beautiful, everything -- except what we ourselves think and do when we forget the higher purposes of life and our own human dignity."

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"The task of a writer is not to solve the problem but to state the problem correctly."

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"Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass."

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"What a fine weather today! Can’t choose whether to drink tea or to hang myself."

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"Art, especially the stage, is an area where it is impossible to walk without stumbling. There are in store for you many unsuccessful days and whole unsuccessful seasons: there will be great misunderstandings and deep disappointments… you must be prepared for all this, expect it and nevertheless, stubbornly, fanatically follow your own way."

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"People should be beautiful in every way - in their faces, in the way they dress, in their thoughts, and in their innermost selves."

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"Life is given only once, and one wants to live it boldly, with full conscious and beauty."

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"We are accustomed to live in hopes of good weather, a good harvest, a nice love-affair, hopes of becoming rich or getting the office of chief of police, but I've never noticed anyone hoping to get wiser. We say to ourselves: it'll be better under a new tsar, and in two hundred years it'll still be better, and nobody tries to make this good time come tomorrow. On the whole, life gets more and more complex every day and moves on its own sweet will, and people get more and more stupid, and get isolated from life in ever-increasing numbers."

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"When a person is born, he can embark on only one of three roads of life: if you go right, the wolves will eat you; if you go left, you’ll eat the wolves; if you go straight, you’ll eat yourself."

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"Doctors are just the same as lawyers; the only difference is that lawyers merely rob you, whereas doctors rob you and kill you too."

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"Lying is the same as alcoholism. Liars prevaricate even on their deathbeds."

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"Perhaps the feelings that we experience when we are in love represent a normal state. Being in love shows a person who he should be."

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"Only during hard times do people come to understand how difficult it is to be master of their feelings and thoughts."

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"If I wanted to order a ring for myself, the inscription I should choose would be: "Nothing passes away." I believe that nothing passes away without leaving a trace, and that every step we take, however small, has significance for our present and our future existence."

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"People's destinies are so different. Some people drag along, unnoticed and boring—they're all alike, and they're all unhappy. Then there are others, like for instance you—you're one in a million. You're happy—"

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