215 quotes
One had better not rush, otherwise dung comes out rather than creative work.
The world is a fine place. The only thing wrong with it is us. How little justice and humility there is in us, how poorly we understand patriotism!
You are right to demand that an artist engage his work consciously, but you confuse two different things: solving the problem and correctly posing the question.
Of course politics is an interesting and engrossing thing. It offers no immutable laws, nearly always prevaricates, but as far as blather and sharpening the mind go, it provides inexhaustible material.
When a person doesn’t understand something, he feels internal discord: however he doesn’t search for that discord in himself, as he should, but searches outside of himself. Thence a war develops with that which he doesn’t understand.
I divide all literary works into two categories: Those I like and those I don’t like. No other criterion exists for me.
Neither I nor anyone else knows what a standard is. We all recognize a dishonorable act, but have no idea what honor is.
I myself smoke, but my wife asked me to speak today on the harmfulness of tobacco, so what can I do? If it’s tobacco, then let it be tobacco.
On the Harmfulness of Tobacco (1886)
If you wish women to love you, be original; I know a man who used to wear felt boots summer and winter, and women fell in love with him.
Note-Book of Anton Chekhov (1921)
There is no Monday which will not give its place to Tuesday.
Note-Book of Anton Chekhov (1921)
As I shall lie in the grave alone, so in fact I live alone.
Note-Book of Anton Chekhov (1921)
Solomon made a great mistake when he asked for wisdom.
Note-Book of Anton Chekhov (1921)
It is not only the prisoners who grow coarse and hardened from corporeal punishment, but those as well who perpetrate the act or are present to witness it.
A Journey to Sakhalin (1891)
When we retreat to the country, we are hiding not from people, but from our pride, which, in the city and among people, operates unfairly and immoderately.
The more refined the more unhappy.
Note-Book of Anton Chekhov (1921)
Brevity is the sister of talent.
Once you’ve married, be strict but just with your wife, don’t allow her to forget herself, and when a misunderstanding arises, say: “Don’t forget that I made you happy.”
Guide for Those Wishing to Marry (1885)
Happiness does not await us all. One needn’t be a prophet to say that there will be more grief and pain than serenity and money. That is why we must hang on to one another.
Death can only be profitable: there’s no need to eat, drink, pay taxes, offend people, and since a person lies in a grave for hundreds or thousands of years, if you count it up the profit turns out to be enormous.
Rothschild’s Fiddle (1894)
Is it our job to judge? The gendarme, policemen and bureaucrats have been especially prepared by fate for that job. Our job is to write, and only to write.