Quotes from Anton Chekhov

I think that it would be less difficult to live eternally than to be deprived of sleep throughout life.

There is no national science just as there is no national multiplication table; what is national is no longer science.

Capital punishment kills immediately, whereas lifetime imprisonment does so slowly. Which executioner is more humane? The one who kills you in a few minutes, or the one who wrests your life from you in the course of many years?

The more refined one is, the more unhappy.

Man is what he believes.

Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice.

There is nothing new in art except talent.

People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy.

The University brings out all abilities, including incapability.

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

Medvienko: Why do you always wear black? Masha: I am in mourning for my life. I am unhappy

People who lead a lonely existence always have something on their minds that they are eager to talk about.

Reason and justice tell me there's more love for humanity in electricity and steam than in chastity and vegetarianism.

People are far more sincere and good-humored at speeding their parting guests than on meeting them.

One must be a god to be able to tell successes from failures without making a mistake.

The role of the artist is to ask questions, not answer them.

If you cry "Forward," you must make plain in what direction to go.

In nature a repulsive caterpillar turns into a lovely butterfly. But with humans it is the other way around: a lovely butterfly turns into a repulsive caterpillar.

Any idiot can face a crisis; it's this day-to-day living that wears you out.

People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy.

Any idiot can face a crisis — it's day to day living that wears you out.

If you are afraid of loneliness, don't marry.

I am now and have always been a stranger to the realm of practical matters.