Anton Pavlovich Chekhov is a famous Russian writer, one of the most famous playwrights, popular not only in Russia, but also far beyond its borders. All over the world he is recognized as a classic of literature. Chekhov's aphorisms are appreciated by all lovers of literature.
Writer Biography
Anton Chekhov was born in Taganrog in 1860. He is a doctor by education, for many years he worked by profession, combining it with literary activity. His plays have been translated into more than 100 languages. For more than 100 years, many of his works have never left the theatrical stage, primarily “The Seagull”, “Three Sisters” and “The Cherry Orchard”.
He is also famous as the master of a short story; more than 300 works of this genre belong to his pen. The most famous are “Duel”, “Ward No. 6”, “Boring Story”, “A Man in a Case”, “Drama on the Hunt”.
Uniqueness of creativity
The works of Anton Chekhov are original and unique. Their features began to appear even in the first productions. Moreover, at first, many critics considered this a drawback, inability to cope with a consistent presentation of the plot. Chekhov was also reproached for using excessive details and details.
However, these were one of the main features of his work - a thorough description of everyday details, aphorisms by A.P. Chekhov.
The signs of Chekhov's works demonstrate a characteristic feature - the transfer of events to the periphery, and all that is familiar and everyday makes up the bulk of the content.
Chekhov's aphorisms and the so-called random replicas are another feature of his style. Because of them, the dialogue of heroes breaks up into many components. Because of them, it seems that the main thread of the conversation is lost.
Chekhov and humor
Contemporaries and descendants rightly appreciate the natural wit that Chekhov was famous for. The sayings and aphorisms that belong to his pen contain a lot of deep meanings, although at first glance they may seem superficial.
The writer’s friends recall one episode that vividly illustrates Chekhov’s style. Somehow, when discussing the novel “The Steppe,” Chekhov’s attention was drawn to the following phrase in the text: “She was alive until she died.” Chekhov at first was very surprised, did not believe that this could be in reality. And at the first opportunity, he took out a book, found the right place and made sure that the text really was like that.
Chekhov’s reaction was no less surprising than the episode itself. The author admitted that he had not finished watching, however, he was not too upset, saying that the current reader doesn’t even eat it.
About love
One of the most popular is Anton Chekhov's aphorisms about love. A lot of attention is paid to this topic in his works; many lovers of literature add wise thoughts from these winged expressions.
Many of them are devoted to the uniqueness of this romantic and indescribable feeling. In particular, aphorisms about Chekhov's love affirm that until a person falls in love, he believes that he knows exactly what love is.
Explores Chekhov and the problems that arise in a person in family life. So, the key to a long life together, the Russian writer considers primarily patience. Because love, sadly, cannot go on for many years.
Chekhov writes a lot about love. Aphorisms have long been passed from mouth to mouth, especially this one: "Nobody wants to love an ordinary person in us."
About a human
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov devotes much attention in his work to human nature. Why are these or those acts committed, what guides a person, making a choice in favor of a particular decision?
For example, the famous playwright claims that a person is primarily what he believes in.
Reflecting on the meaning of life, Chekhov’s aphorisms affirm that a person’s vocation in the modern world consists in the search for truth, which consists in discovering the truth and the true meaning of life.
About women
Chekhov not only loved women, he idolized them. In 1901, he married his muse, in the future People's Artist of the USSR Olga Knipper, who later became Knipper-Chekhova. At that moment, she was 33 years old, and Anton Pavlovich himself - 41. The age difference was very small, the only thing sad in this story was the speedy death of the writer. Having lived only 3 years after the wedding, Anton Chekhov died in 1904.
About women, Chekhov wrote that without male society they fade, while men, left without a fair half of humanity, inevitably get stupid.
In turn, Chekhov debunks a popular myth, according to which a woman can be a friend to a man. The writer claims that this is possible only in one single case: if the woman was first a friend, then a lover - and only after that she can become a friend.
There are also quite frivolous aphorisms of Chekhov. For example, he claims that traveling with his own wife to Paris is the same as applying to Tula with his samovar, that is, an occupation that is absolutely meaningless and unnecessary.
Chekhov’s absurd statements and aphorisms in which he claims seemingly mutually exclusive things are especially famous. However, upon closer examination, they no longer seem so ridiculous and only remember faster. For example, Chekhov categorically does not advise anyone to marry if he is afraid of loneliness, since in this case it is inevitable.
Chekhov is extremely negative about treason, especially female. He compares the changed representative of the beautiful half of humanity with a cutlet that no one wants to touch, since someone else has already touched her.
But still, most of his statements and aphorisms are very optimistic. The greatest happiness, according to the Russian playwright, is to love and be loved.
About creativity
Knowing about creativity from within, a large number of winged expressions were dedicated to him by Chekhov. Aphorisms about literature are different, but the most famous is Brevity is the sister of talent.
Chekhov also claimed that becoming a writer is not at all difficult. But at the same time draws an analogy between a writer and a freak. After all, anyone will find a mate, and anyone, even the most utter nonsense, will have their own reader.
At the same time, in order to become a real reader, one cannot do without hard work, Chekhov claims. The writer's life routine should be such that labor is a vital necessity for him. Without this, it is impossible to imagine a joyful and clean life.
In the writer's share, Chekhov considered writing narratives to be the most important ironic. And called those who are not able to do this, mediocrity. But at the same time, mediocrity, according to the Russian classic, were those who successfully wrote the story, but did not know how to hide it from others.
About life
Chekhov paid great attention to various aspects of life. His aphorisms devoted to this topic are extremely accurate and successful.
So, he was very skeptical of people who can speak well and smartly. Noting that often this is not an indicator of the true mind, when the sixth sense you understand that in reality they are very stupid and limited people who just hide their true face behind a beautiful wrapper.
“Life is a moment,” Chekhov writes. The aphorisms and quotes of the writer, according to his own covenants, are laconic and simple. He adds that this moment must be appreciated, because you can’t live on a draft — to rewrite everything completely will never succeed. Errors cannot be corrected, actions cannot be replayed, glories cannot be taken back, insults cannot be forgotten.
Another famous statement by the writer: "Well, where we are not." True, few know that this aphorism does not end there, Anton Pavlovich adds, as if explaining his idea once again: we are no longer in the past, and that is why it seems so beautiful to us. Although the present and future will not be fundamentally different, if we change places for life, and not the approach to it.
About education and family
Chekhov is very critical of higher education. In particular, he writes that the university, of course, develops many abilities of a young man, but one of them is stupidity. And you can’t do without it.
With great warmth, the classic refers to kind people. Noting their nature, he argues that such will be ashamed of such acts even in front of the dog, although in fact they will not be to blame.
Some Chekhov's aphorisms are akin to the rules of good taste, which must be followed at a party and in any decent society. For example, how does good parenting manifest during lunch? Not that a person will eat carefully and will not spill the sauce on the tablecloth. Such an unpleasant accident can happen to anyone, even the most educated gentleman. True education manifests itself when a person does not pay the slightest attention, if someone else does it.
One of the most important qualities in a person Chekhov considers politeness. Noting that she, like no other human quality, is very cheap, but very much appreciated.
Chekhov has his own, somewhat domostroy views on family life. He believes that a woman needs to be educated so that she is aware of her mistakes and repents of them. Otherwise, she will consider, and mistakenly, that she is always right.
Chekhov's quotes and aphorisms were loved by contemporaries, they are popular even now. Ironically, the writer also speaks to lovers of strong drinks, noting that although the vodka is white, it colors the nose and blackens the reputation of the drinker.
About Russia
Details Chekhov describes the features of the soul of a Russian person. In his opinion, our person is necessarily distinguished by an irresistible desire to spend even the last money on sometimes unnecessary entertainment and tricks. And this is at a time when his basic needs are not satisfied! And this is one of the biggest problems.
Sometimes a classic speaks quite sharply. He calls the Russian man a "big pig." This is because he can explain why there is no fish or meat on the dining table because it is difficult to deliver. But at the same time, not a single feast is complete without vodka, no matter in the wilderness the Russian people live.
He also notes the addiction of Russian people to unjustified acts. How, for example, to cross a river on ice exactly at the moment when ice is cracking on it and not today - an icebreaker will begin tomorrow.
The main problem of the Russian man, according to the writer, is that he simply does not have enough desire to live.
About officials
Officials are found in many works of Chekhov, especially satirical ones. Russian writers have always loved to make fun of their narrow-mindedness, love of money and the ability to drag out the most trifling thing.
Chekhov even compares officials with toadstools, arguing that they both reproduce the same way - division.
In disgust, the writer writes about a bureaucratic language, criticizing the use of a large number of revolutions and unnecessary complications without any need. You can only read this by spitting, he claims.
About humor
No really educated person can do without humor. That is why the seriousness of the one who has a sense of humor is several times more serious and attractive than the ordinary seriousness of an ordinary serious person who does not possess this quality.
But not everything can be and permissively laugh. Chekhov notes that in society there is a special breed of people who simply enjoys making fun of everything around - every manifestation of life, everything that meets in their way. Usually such people flirt and stop distinguishing really funny things from those that you simply should not play jokes on. So, they can ridicule a beggar, a hungry woman, a young man trying to commit suicide, or someone else's death. In this case, Chekhov claims, this is no longer humor, but one exceptional vulgarity.
At the same time, the writer sympathizes with those who do not understand jokes, do not have a sense of humor. In this case, this is really a stupid person, since only humor can serve as a real measure of intelligence.