Early Life and Education
Born on May 5, 1813, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Soren Kierkegaard was the youngest of seven children. His father, Michael Pedersen Kierkegaard, was a wealthy merchant, and his mother, Ane Sorensdatter Lund Kierkegaard, was a servant in the household before marrying his father.
Philosophical Contributions
Kierkegaard's philosophical ideas revolved around the concept of individuality, subjectivity, and the importance of personal choice. He is often referred to as the "Father of Existentialism" for his exploration of human existence and the individual's relationship with God.
Major Works
Some of Kierkegaard's most notable works include "Fear and Trembling," "Either/Or," "The Sickness Unto Death," and "Works of Love." These writings delve into themes such as faith, ethics, despair, and the nature of truth.
Influence and Legacy
Despite his relatively short life (he died at the age of 42), Kierkegaard's impact on philosophy, theology, and literature has been profound. His ideas have influenced thinkers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Martin Heidegger, and Karl Barth, shaping the development of existentialism and modern theology.
Overall, Soren Kierkegaard's life and works continue to be studied and revered for their depth, complexity, and enduring relevance to the human experience.
Soren Kierkegaard Quotes
Let's explore 22 of Kierkegaard's most insightful quotes that continue to resonate with readers around the world.
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Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
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People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.
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The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.
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Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom.
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Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.
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There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.
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People understand me so poorly that they don't even understand my complaint about them not understanding me.
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The most common form of despair is not being who you are.
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What labels me, negates me.
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The most painful state of being is remembering the future, particularly the one you'll never have.
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The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly.
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In addition to my other numerous acquaintances, I have one more intimate confidant… My depression is the most faithful mistress I have known — no wonder, then, that I return the love.
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What if everything in the world were a misunderstanding, what if laughter were really tears?
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To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily. Not to dare is to lose oneself.
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The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins.
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Face the facts of being what you are, for that is what changes what you are.
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To venture causes anxiety, but not to venture is to lose one's self.... And to venture in the highest is precisely to be conscious of one's self.
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God creates out of nothing. Wonderful you say. Yes, to be sure, but he does what is still more wonderful: he makes saints out of sinners.
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If anyone on the verge of action should judge himself according to the outcome, he would never begin.
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To cheat oneself out of love is the most terrible deception; it is an eternal loss for which there is no reparation, either in time or in eternity.
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Many of us pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that we hurry past it.
- The highest and most beautiful things in life are not to be heard about, nor read about, nor seen but, if one will, are to be lived.
These 22 quotes by Soren Kierkegaard offer profound insights into the human experience, challenging readers to reflect on their beliefs, values, and actions. As you ponder these quotes, consider how they resonate with your own journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
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