The Quotable Kierkegaard

by Søren Kierkegaard, Gordon Marino (Editor)

"Why I so much prefer autumn to spring is that in the autumn one looks at heaven--in the spring at the earth."--Søren Kierkegaard

The father of existentialism, Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) was a philosopher who could write like an angel. With only a sentence or two, he could plumb the depths of the human spirit. In this collection of some 800 quotations, the reader will find dazzling bon mots next to words of life-changing power. Drawing from the authoritative Princeton editions of Kierkegaard's writings, this book presents a broad selection of his wit and wisdom, as well as a stimulating introduction to his life and work.

Organized by topic, this volume covers notable Kierkegaardian concerns such as anxiety, despair, existence, irony, and the absurd, but also erotic love, the press, busyness, and the comic. Here readers will encounter both well-known quotations ("Life must be understood backward. But then one forgets the other principle, that it must be lived forward") and obscure ones ("Beware false prophets who come to you in wolves' clothing but inwardly are sheep--i.e., the phrasemongers"). Those who spend time in these pages will discover the writer who said, "my grief is my castle," but who also taught that "the best defense against hypocrisy is love."

Illuminating and delightful, this engaging book also provides a substantial portrait of one of the most influential of modern thinkers.

Gathers some 800 quotations Drawn from the authoritative Princeton editions of Kierkegaard's writings Includes an introduction, a brief account and timeline of Kierkegaard's life, a guide to further reading, and an index

Genres: Philosophy

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Søren Aabye Kierkegaard was a prolific 19th century Danish philosopher and theologian. Kierkegaard strongly criticised both the Hegelianism of his time and what he saw as the empty formalities of the Church of Denmark. Much of his work deals with religious themes such as faith in God, the institution of the Christian Church, Christian ethics and theology, and the emotions and feelings of individuals when faced with life choices. His early work was written under various pseudonyms who present their own distinctive viewpoints in a complex dialogue.

Kierkegaard left the task of discovering the meaning of his works to the reader, because "the task must be made difficult, for only the difficult inspires the noble-hearted". Scholars have interpreted Kierkegaard variously as an existentialist, neo-orthodoxist, postmodernist, humanist, and individualist.

Crossing the boundaries of philosophy, theology, psychology, and literature, he is an influential figure in contemporary thought.

Reviews

[anja ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ah, it is much easier to look to the right and to the left than to look into oneself, much easier to haggle and bargain just as it is also much easier to underbid than to be silent - but the more difficult is still the one thing needful."

a comprehensive introduction into all that is kierkegaard! organized into parts very well, and although somewhat repetitive at times, it serves its purpose effectively. now i know which works of his to focus on in further reading and which ones would be less of my cup of tea.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some repetitions in the editing, but wonderful, thought provoking, and enlightening.

[Carla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great organization by subject matter. I read this due to loving the structure and eloquence of his writing. Not the most interesting of reads, but a good jump around book.

[Ecaterina Leonte · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely useless. Poorly edited, several repeated quotes, randomly "ordered". The most confusing was the fact that the editor sometimes mentions the source of the quote, other times (most of the times) he doesn't. So if I'm drawn to a particular quote, I have no idea which book/ essay it came from.