Quote

[Six principles that make for a good story:] 1. Absence of lengthy verbiage of a political-social-economic nature 2. total objectivity 3. truthful descriptions of persons and objects 4. extreme brevity 5. audacity and originality: flee the stereotype 6. compassion.

Anton Chekhov

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Anton Chekhov
Age: 44 †
Born: 1860
Born: January 1
Died: 1904
Died: January 1
Author
Dramaturge
Journalist
Novelist
Physician
Playwright
Prosaist
Satirist
Writer
Tahanroh
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
Antón Pávlovič Čéhov
Antón Pávlovich Chékhov
Chekhov
Persons
Objects
Truthful
Descriptions
Make
Principles
Description
Lengthy
Good
Economic
Extreme
Audacity
Story
Extremes
Brevity
Social
Total
Flee
Political
Absence
Objectivity
Nature
Six
Stereotype
Stories
Compassion
Originality
Verbiage

More quotes by Anton Chekhov

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In displaying the psychology of your characters, minute particulars are essential. God save us from vague generalizations! Be sure not to discuss your hero's state of mind. Make it clear from his actions. Nor is it necessary to portray many main characters. Let two people be the center of gravity in your story: he and she.
Anton Chekhov
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Lying is the same as alcoholism. Liars prevaricate even on their deathbeds.
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Nothing can be accomplished by logic and ethics.
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Everything should be first-rate in a person, his face, clothes, soul and thoughts.
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Nothing lulls and inebriates like money when you have a lot, the world seems a better place than it actually is.
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A good person will feel guilty even before a dog.
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One must never place a loaded rifle on the stage if it isn't going to go off. It's wrong to make promises you don't mean to keep.
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If you are afraid of loneliness, do not marry.
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There is something beautiful, touching and poetic when one person loves more than the other, and the other is indifferent.
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There isn't a Monday that would not cede its place to Tuesday.
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The stupider the peasant, the better the horse understands him.
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Faith is a capacity of the spirit. It is like talent: you have to be born with it
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We shall find peace. We shall hear angels, we shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds.
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Who keeps the tavern and serves up the drinks? The peasant. Who squanders and drinks up money belonging to the peasant commune, the school, the church? The peasant. Who would steal from his neighbor, commit arson, and falsely denounce another for a bottle of vodka? The peasant.
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Better a debauched canary than a pious wolf.
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Not everyone knows how to be silent or to leave in good time. It happens that even people of good breeding fail to notice that their presence provokes in the weary or preoccupied host a feeling akin to hatred, and that this feeling is tensely concealed and covered up with lies.
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All saints have past and all sinners have a future.
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It is a bad thing if a writer tackles a subject he does not understand.
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People are far more sincere and good-humored at speeding their parting guests than on meeting them.
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And it is the way with us that you may express disapproval of the sun or the moon, or anything you like, but God preserve you from touching the Liberals! Heaven forbid!
Anton Chekhov