If you can't distinguish people from lap-dogs, you shouldn't undertake philanthropic work. Anton Chekhov More Quotes by Anton Chekhov More Quotes From Anton Chekhov The sea has neither meaning nor pity. Anton Chekhov pitysea The more cultured a man, the less fortunate he is. Anton Chekhov educationmenculture One must speak about serious things seriously. Anton Chekhov serious-thingsseriousideas I am not a liberal, not a conservative, not a believer in gradual progress, not a monk. I should like to be a free artist and nothing more. Anton Chekhov progressfreedomartist Life does not agree with philosophy: There is no happiness that is not idleness, and only what is useless is pleasurable. Anton Chekhov uselessdoephilosophy When performing an autopsy, even the most inveterate spiritualist would have to question where the soul is. Anton Chekhov medicinesouldeath The wealthy are always surrounded by hangers-on; science and art are as well. Anton Chekhov wealthywellsart Life has gone by as if I never lived Anton Chekhov ifsgone To judge between good or bad, between successful and unsuccessful would take the eye of a God. Anton Chekhov eyesuccessfuljudging I am writing a play which I probably will not finish until the end of November. I am writing it with considerable pleasure, though I sin frightfully against the conventions of the stage. It is a comedy with three female parts, six male, four acts, a landscape (view of the lake), lots of talk on literature, little action and tons of love. Anton Chekhov lakeswritinglove The time has come for writers, especially those who are artists, to admit that in this world one cannot make anything out, just as Socrates once admitted it, just as Voltaire admitted it. Anton Chekhov artistjusticetime And what does it mean -- dying? Perhaps man has a hundred senses, and only the five we know are lost at death, while the other ninety-five remain alive. Anton Chekhov dyingmenmean Probably nature itself gave man the ability to lie so that in difficult and tense moments he could protect his nest, just as do the vixen and wild duck. Anton Chekhov ducksmenlying Just as I shall lie alone in the grave, so, in essence, do I live alone. Anton Chekhov gravesessencelying It's better to live down a scandal than to ruin one's life. Anton Chekhov ruinsscandal It's worth living abroad to study up on genteel and delicate manners. The maid smiles continuously; she smiles like a duchess on a stage, while at the same time it is clear from her face that she is exhausted from overwork. Anton Chekhov maidsexhaustedfaces A grimy fly can soil the entire wall and a small, dirty little act can ruin the entire proceedings. Anton Chekhov ruinswalldirty It seems to me that all of the evil in life comes from idleness, boredom, and psychic emptiness, but all of that is inevitable when you become accustomed to living at others' expense. Anton Chekhov boredompsychicsevil A naive man is nothing better than a fool. But you women contrive to be naive in such a way that in you it seems sweet, and gentle, and proper, and not as silly as it really is. Anton Chekhov sillysweetmen If only one tooth aches, rejoice that not all of them ache.... If your wife betrays you, be glad that she betrayed only you and not the nation. Anton Chekhov teethbetrayedwife
