Accepting Quote by Anton Chekhov
“I can't accept "our nervous age," since mankind has been nervous during every age. Whoever fears nervousness should turn into a sturgeon or smelt; if a sturgeon makes a stupid mistake, it can only be one: to end up on a hook, and then in a pan in a pastry shell.”
About This Quote
Human nervousness is timeless; fearing it leads to absurd outcomes, like a sturgeon’s fatal mistake, highlighting the folly of trying to escape natural anxiety.
In simple terms: Nervousness is always present; fearing it is pointless.
Key Takeaway
Embrace nervousness, avoid absurd fear.
Themes
nervousness
human nature
fear
absurdity
Mood
humorous
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- performance anxiety
- personal growth
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
literary metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you react to nervousness?
- What can you learn from the sturgeon metaphor?
A Different Perspective
Fear of nervousness can cause irrational behavior.
