• In any case a reason is a curious thing; if I concentrate all my passion on it, it grows into a huge necessity that can move heaven and earth; if I lack passion, I look down on it with scorn.–I have speculated for some time as to the real reason why I resigned my post as secondary-school teacher. Thinking it over now, it occurs to me that such a position was the very thing for me. Today it dawned on me: that was precisely the reason, I had to consider myself absolutely fitted for the job. So if I’d continued in it I had everything to lose, nothing to gain. Wherefore I thought it proper to resign my post and seek employment with a travelling theatre, the reason being that I had no talent, and so everything to gain. […]

    Either/Or: A Fragment of Life
    Søren Kierkegaard

  • If anyone should keep a diary it’s me, to aid my memory a little. After a while it often happens that I completely forget what reasons motivated me to do this or that, not just in bagatelles, but also in taking the most decisive steps. Should the reason then occur to me, sometimes it seems so strange that I myself refuse to believe it was the reason.

    Either/Or: A Fragment of Life
    Søren Kierkegaard

  • I seem destined to suffer every possible mood, to gain experience in all directions.

    Either/Or: A Fragment of Life
    Søren Kierkegaard

  • A fire broke out backstage in a theatre. The clown came out to warn the public; they thought it was a joke and applauded. He repeated it; the acclaim was even greater. I think that’s just how the world will come to an end: to general applause from wits who believe it’s a joke.

    Either/Or: A Fragment of Life
    Søren Kierkegaard

  • One should be an enigma not just to others but to oneself too. I study myself. When I’m tired of that I light a cigar to pass the time, and think: God only knows what the good Lord really meant with me, or what He meant to make of me. […]

    Either/Or: A Fragment of Life
    Søren Kierkegaard

  • What am I good for? For nothing or everything.

    Either/Or: A Fragment of Life
    Søren Kierkegaard

  • No one comes back from the dead, no one has entered the world without crying; no one is asked when he wishes to enter life, nor when he wishes to leave.

    Either/Or: A Fragment of Life
    Søren Kierkegaard

  • Ask any questions you will, just don’t ask me for reasons. A young girl is excused for not being able to give reasons, they say she lives in her feelings. It is different with me. Generally, I have so many and usually mutually contradictory reasons that, for that reason, it is impossible for me to give reasons.

    Either/Or: A Fragment of Life
    Søren Kierkegaard

  • There are times when one can be so infinitely pained on seeing someone all alone in the world. Thus the other day I saw a poor girl walking all alone to church to be confirmed.

    Either/Or: A Fragment of Life
    Søren Kierkegaard

  • Taxi Driver (1976)