Samuel Beckett

Playwright, Novelist

Samuel Beckett was an Irish playwright and novelist known for his influential works exploring absurdity and existentialism, particularly 'Waiting for Godot'.

Born
April 13, 1906
Died
December 22, 1989
Quotes
319
Rank
#127

About Samuel Beckett

Samuel Beckett — Life and Legacy

Samuel Beckett, an Irish playwright and novelist, is renowned for his profound exploration of absurdity and the human condition. His seminal work, 'Waiting for Godot', revolutionized theater by presenting a narrative that defies traditional structure, focusing on the themes of waiting and existential uncertainty. Beckett's core philosophy is encapsulated in his quote, 'I can't go on, I'll go on', which reflects the paradox of human resilience amidst despair. This statement reveals his belief in the struggle for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe. Beckett's writing often delves into the psychological depths of his characters, showcasing their internal conflicts and existential dilemmas. His characters frequently grapple with the futility of existence, as seen in the repetitive and cyclical nature of their dialogues. This approach challenges readers and audiences to confront the absurdity of life, pushing against the boundaries of conventional storytelling. The relevance of Beckett's quotes and ideas persists today, as they resonate with contemporary themes of alienation and the search for meaning. His work invites reflection on the complexities of human experience, encouraging a deeper understanding of the contradictions that define our existence.

Quote collection

Samuel Beckett quotes (page 1 of 16)

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

Samuel Beckett Playwright, Novelist
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"There's never an end for the sea."

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"Don't look for meaning in the words. Listen to the silences."

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"The creation of the world did not take place once and for all time, but takes place every day."

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"If you do not love me I shall not be loved If I do not love you I shall not love."

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"I tried to groan, Help! Help! But the tone that came out was that of polite conversation."

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"Dear incomprehension, it's thanks to you I'll be myself, in the end."

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"Perhaps that's what I feel, an outside and an inside and me in the middle, perhaps that's what I am, the thing that divides the world in two, on the one side the outside, on the other the inside, that can be as thin as foil, I'm neither one side nor the other, I'm in the middle, I'm the partition, I've two surfaces and no thickness, perhaps that's what I feel, myself vibrating, I'm the tympanum, on the one hand the mind, on the other the world, I don't belong to either."

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"Memories are killing. So you must not think of certain things, of those that are dear to you, or rather you must think of them, for if you don’t there is the danger of finding them, in your mind, little by little."

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"That's what hell must be like, small chat to the babbling of Lethe about the good old days when we wished we were dead."

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"Dance first. Think later. It's the natural order."

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"The end is in the beginning and yet you go on."

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"If there is one question I dread, to which I have never been able to invent a satisfactory reply, it is the question what am I doing."

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"We wait. We are bored. (He throws up his hand.) No, don't protest, we are bored to death, there's no denying it. Good. A diversion comes along and what do we do? We let it go to waste. Come, let's get to work! (He advances towards the heap, stops in his stride.) In an instant all will vanish and we'll be alone more, in the midst of nothingness!"

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