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88 Anton Chekhov Quotes on Love & Writing (POEMS)

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Top 10 Most Famous Anton Chekhov Quotes (BEST)

“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.”

Anton Chekhov
There is nothing new in art except talent.
There is nothing new in art except talent.
Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.
Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.

“The thoughts that occur to me while I’m running are like clouds in the sky. Clouds of all different sizes. They come and they go, while the sky remains the same sky always.”

Anton Chekhov
People should be beautiful in every way - in their faces, in the way they dress, in their thoughts, and in their innermost selves.
People should be beautiful in every way – in their faces, in the way they dress, in their thoughts, and in their innermost selves.
Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice.
Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice.
What a fine weather today! Can’t choose whether to drink tea or to hang myself.
What a fine weather today! Can’t choose whether to drink tea or to hang myself.
Man is what he believes.
Man is what he believes.
People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy.
People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy.
Any idiot can face a crisis; it's the day-to-day living that wears you out.
Any idiot can face a crisis; it’s the day-to-day living that wears you out.

19 Thought-Provoking Anton Chekhov Quotes About Life

“To be a human being among people and to remain one forever, no matter in what circumstances, not to grow despondent and not to lose heart – that’s what life is all about, that’s its task.”

Anton Chekhov
Let us learn to appreciate there will be times when the trees will be bare, and look forward to the time when we may pick the fruit.
Let us learn to appreciate there will be times when the trees will be bare, and look forward to the time when we may pick the fruit.
The world is, of course, nothing but our conception of it.
The world is, of course, nothing but our conception of it.
The sea has neither meaning nor pity.
The sea has neither meaning nor pity.
It's easier to talk about things than to actually do them.
It’s easier to talk about things than to actually do them.
The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it.
The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it.
We shall find peace. We shall hear angels, we shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds.
We shall find peace. We shall hear angels, we shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds.
I am not a teacher, but an awakener.
I am not a teacher, but an awakener.
Faith is an aptitude of the spirit. It is, in fact, a talent you must be born with it.
Faith is an aptitude of the spirit. It is, in fact, a talent: you must be born with it.
The hardest thing is to live richly in the present without letting it be tainted out of fear for the future or regret for the past.
The hardest thing is to live richly in the present without letting it be tainted out of fear for the future or regret for the past.
To advise is not to compel.
To advise is not to compel.
People are drawn to those who give off positive energy because they are energized themselves by the same things.
People are drawn to those who give off positive energy because they are energized themselves by the same things.
The only thing that makes one place more attractive to me than another is the quantity of heart I find in it.
The only thing that makes one place more attractive to me than another is the quantity of heart I find in it.
We learn about life not from plusses alone, but from minuses as well.
We learn about life not from plusses alone, but from minuses as well.
There is nothing more terrible than ignorance in action.
There is nothing more terrible than ignorance in action.
There are people who are too intelligent to ever be classified as human.
There are people who are too intelligent to ever be classified as human.
People who lead a lonely existence always have something on their minds that they are eager to talk about.
People who lead a lonely existence always have something on their minds that they are eager to talk about.
One must never lose time in vainly regretting the past or in complaining about the changes which cause us discomfort, for change is the very essence of life.
One must never lose time in vainly regretting the past or in complaining about the changes which cause us discomfort, for change is the very essence of life.
I am not a politician, and my other habits are also good.
I am not a politician, and my other habits are also good.

18 Wise Anton Chekhov Quotes

The world is always in movement.
The world is always in movement.
Love, friendship and respect do not unite people as much as a common hatred for something.
Love, friendship and respect do not unite people as much as a common hatred for something.
You must trust and believe in people or life becomes impossible.
You must trust and believe in people or life becomes impossible.
If you are afraid of loneliness, don't marry.
If you are afraid of loneliness, don’t marry.
Man is born to live and not to prepare for life.
Man is born to live and not to prepare for life.
If you are afraid of wolves, keep out of the woods.
If you are afraid of wolves, keep out of the woods.
A human being is a being who is constantly 'under construction,' but also, in a parallel fashion, always in a state of constant destruction.
A human being is a being who is constantly ‘under construction,’ but also, in a parallel fashion, always in a state of constant destruction.
One must know how to use the daylight to advantage.
One must know how to use the daylight to advantage.
In order to change the world, you have to get your head together first.
In order to change the world, you have to get your head together first.
All of life and human relations have become so incomprehensibly complex that, when you think about it, it becomes terrifying and your heart stands still.
All of life and human relations have become so incomprehensibly complex that, when you think about it, it becomes terrifying and your heart stands still.
You are sure to be comfortable if you enjoy what you are doing.
You are sure to be comfortable if you enjoy what you are doing.
A good upbringing means not that you won't spill sauce on the tablecloth, but that you won't notice it when someone else does.
A good upbringing means not that you won’t spill sauce on the tablecloth, but that you won’t notice it when someone else does.
The thirst for powerful sensations takes the upper hand both over fear and over compassion for the grief of others.
The thirst for powerful sensations takes the upper hand both over fear and over compassion for the grief of others.
A clever, ugly man every now and then is successful with the ladies, but a handsome fool is irresistible.
A clever, ugly man every now and then is successful with the ladies, but a handsome fool is irresistible.
The worst thing about being lied to is knowing you're not worth the truth.
The worst thing about being lied to is knowing you’re not worth the truth.
When you're thirsty and it seems that you could drink the entire ocean, that's faith; when you start to drink and finish only a glass or two, that's science.
When you’re thirsty and it seems that you could drink the entire ocean, that’s faith; when you start to drink and finish only a glass or two, that’s science.
The most terrifying thing in the world is to accept oneself completely.
The most terrifying thing in the world is to accept oneself completely.
I promise to be an excellent husband, but give me a wife who, like the moon, will not appear every day in my sky.
I promise to be an excellent husband, but give me a wife who, like the moon, will not appear every day in my sky.

6 Anton Chekhov Quotes About Happiness

The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness.
The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness.
One must never look for happiness one meets it by the way.
One must never look for happiness: one meets it by the way.
Life does not agree with philosophy There is no happiness that is not idleness, and only what is useless is pleasurable.
Life does not agree with philosophy: There is no happiness that is not idleness, and only what is useless is pleasurable.
The person who seeks all their applause from outside has their happiness in another's keeping.
The person who seeks all their applause from outside has their happiness in another’s keeping.
Man is unhappy because he doesn't know he's happy.
Man is unhappy because he doesn’t know he’s happy.
Happiness does not depend on what you have or who you are. It solely relies on what you think.
Happiness does not depend on what you have or who you are. It solely relies on what you think.

3 Anton Chekhov Quotes About Medicine

Doctors are just the same as lawyers; the only difference is that lawyers merely rob you, whereas doctors rob you and kill you too.
Doctors are just the same as lawyers; the only difference is that lawyers merely rob you, whereas doctors rob you and kill you too.
When a lot of remedies are suggested for a disease, that means it cannot be cured.
When a lot of remedies are suggested for a disease, that means it cannot be cured.
Medicine is my lawful wife, and literature is my mistress.
Medicine is my lawful wife, and literature is my mistress.

10 Anton Chekhov Quotes About Women

“The strength of a woman is not measured by the impact that all her hardships in life have had on her, but the strength of a woman is measured by the extent of her refusal to allow those hardships to dictate her and who she becomes.”

Anton Chekhov
Women, like men, should try to do the impossible. And when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others.
Women, like men, should try to do the impossible. And when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others.
When a woman isn't beautiful, people always say, 'You have lovely eyes, you have lovely hair.'
When a woman isn’t beautiful, people always say, ‘You have lovely eyes, you have lovely hair.’
It's easier to write about Socrates than about a young woman or a cook.
It’s easier to write about Socrates than about a young woman or a cook.
A woman can become a man's friend only in the following stages - first an acquaintance, then a mistress, and after that a friend.
A woman can become a man’s friend only in the following stages – first an acquaintance, then a mistress, and after that a friend.
A woman can forgive a man for the harm he does her but she can never forgive him for the sacrifices he makes on her account.
A woman can forgive a man for the harm he does her but she can never forgive him for the sacrifices he makes on her account.
The emancipation of women is not an act of charity, it's a basic necessity for the revolution to triumph.
The emancipation of women is not an act of charity, it’s a basic necessity for the revolution to triumph.
There is nothing more beautiful than a woman who is comfortable in her own skin.
There is nothing more beautiful than a woman who is comfortable in her own skin.
A woman's heart is a deep ocean of secrets.
A woman’s heart is a deep ocean of secrets.
The only way for a woman, as for a man, to find herself, to know herself as a person, is by creative work of her own.
The only way for a woman, as for a man, to find herself, to know herself as a person, is by creative work of her own.

3 Anton Chekhov Quotes on Being an Artist

The function of the artist is to make people feel.
The function of the artist is to make people feel.
The role of the artist is to ask questions, not answer them.
The role of the artist is to ask questions, not answer them.
An artist is not a master of himself, he is not the master of his subject, but he is a servant of his vision.
An artist is not a master of himself, he is not the master of his subject, but he is a servant of his vision.

9 Anton Chekhov Quotes on Love

“Love, she thought, must come suddenly, with great outbursts and lightnings, a hurricane of the skies, which falls upon life, revolutionizes it, roots up the will like a leaf, and sweeps the whole heart into the abyss.”

Anton Chekov
Everything that I understand, I understand only because I love.
Everything that I understand, I understand only because I love.
A person who doesn't love himself cannot love anyone else (either).
A person who doesn’t love himself cannot love anyone else (either).
One must not trifle with love.
One must not trifle with love.
Love, like fire, goes out without fuel.
Love, like fire, goes out without fuel.
The most important thing in life is human relationships.
The most important thing in life is human relationships.
Love, to be real, must always involve some self-sacrifice.
Love, to be real, must always involve some self-sacrifice.
The heart can only be conquered by love and patience.
The heart can only be conquered by love and patience.
The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.
The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.

4 Anton Chekhov Quotes on Writing

A writer is not a confectioner, a cosmetic dealer, or an entertainer. He is a man who has signed a contract with his conscience and his sense of duty.
A writer is not a confectioner, a cosmetic dealer, or an entertainer. He is a man who has signed a contract with his conscience and his sense of duty.
A writer should be as objective as a chemist; he should lay aside his personal desires and prejudices and study his subject from every angle.
A writer should be as objective as a chemist; he should lay aside his personal desires and prejudices and study his subject from every angle.
I have no taste for either poverty or honest labor, so writing is the only recourse left for me.
I have no taste for either poverty or honest labor, so writing is the only recourse left for me.
A writer should not be too intelligent, nor too stupid, but somewhere in between.
A writer should not be too intelligent, nor too stupid, but somewhere in between.

6 Anton Chekhov Quotes That Will Make You Think

To be a human being among people and remain one forever, no matter in what circumstances, not to grow despondent or be embittered, to keep the human heart and not to lose faith in man – this is what life is all about, this is its task.

Anton Chekhov
The present is always difficult, but all would be different if we had faith in the future.
The present is always difficult, but all would be different if we had faith in the future.
In the midst of life, death has its dominion.
In the midst of life, death has its dominion.
There is no national science just as there is no national multiplication table; what is national is no longer science.
There is no national science just as there is no national multiplication table; what is national is no longer science.
In order to understand life, you have to live it, not observe it.
In order to understand life, you have to live it, not observe it.
No psychologist should pretend to understand what he does not understand. Only fools and charlatans know everything and understand nothing.
No psychologist should pretend to understand what he does not understand. Only fools and charlatans know everything and understand nothing.

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Anton Chekhov Quotes on Love & Writing (POEMS) - Gracious Quotes