---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A man with a so-called character is often…"
description: "\"A man with a so-called character is often a simple piece of mechanism; he has often only one point of view for the extremely complicated relationships ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/august-strindberg-3638_character_a-man-with-a-so-called-character-is-ofte_3232718.png"
---

#  A man with a so-called character is often a simple piece…

![“A man with a so-called character is often a simple piece of mechanism; he has often only one point of view for the extremely complicated relationships of life.” quote by August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/august-strindberg-3638_character_a-man-with-a-so-called-character-is-ofte_3232718.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/august-strindberg-3638_character_a-man-with-a-so-called-character-is-ofte_3232718.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/august-strindberg-3638_character_a-man-with-a-so-called-character-is-ofte_3232718.png)

> “A man with a so-called character is often a simple piece of mechanism; he has often only one point of view for the extremely complicated relationships of life.”

[August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A so‑called “character” is a simple mechanism, offering a single perspective on life's complex relationships.

**In simple terms:** Characters are simplistic mechanisms, limiting understanding of complexity.

Key Takeaway

Seek multiple perspectives beyond fixed characters.

Themes

identity complexity character perception

Mood

insightful contemplative

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- theatre
- personal growth
- relationship counseling
- creative writing

Key Concepts

psychology philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you recognize when a “character” limits your view?
- What benefits arise from embracing complexity?

A Different Perspective

Characters can also serve as useful archetypes for storytelling.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Complicated relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complicated-relationship/) [Complicated relationships](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complicated-relationships/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Point of view](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/point-of-view/)

## Related quotes

> [“My relationship with him was defined by these complex emotions, this mixture of gratitude and resentment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otsuichi/my-relationship-with-him-was-defined-by-these-complex-emotions-this/)

[Otsuichi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otsuichi/)

> ['Partita' is a simple piece. Born of a love of surface and structure, of the human voice, of dancing and tired ligaments, of music,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-shaw/partita-is-a-simple-piece-born-of-a-love-of-surface-and-structure-of/)

[Caroline Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-shaw/)

> [I am not playing a villain or a negative role in 'Turram Khan.' My character is that of a simple small-town girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nushrat-bharucha/i-am-not-playing-a-villain-or-a-negative-role-in-turram-khan-my/)

[Nushrat Bharucha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nushrat-bharucha/)

> [I'm pretty excited about the state of TV these days. There's great opportunity for really complicated relationships, in a way that I don't really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-malcomson/i-m-pretty-excited-about-the-state-of-tv-these-days-there-s-great/)

[Paula Malcomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-malcomson/)

> [Face it girls are complicated. Relationships are like giving a caveman a laptop computer, ridiculous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/face-it-girls-are-complicated-relationships-are-like-giving-a-caveman/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Complicated relationships is where one minute your partners and the next minutes your opponents. Love isn't a game, it's real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/complicated-relationships-is-where-one-minute-your-partners-and-the/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [We all have that one relationship. The one where we feel like we've done our part, but the other one hasn't done theirs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-all-have-that-one-relationship-the-one-where-we-feel-like-we-ve/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I like when there are complicated relationships, that there's a little bit of self-serving parts of it as well as a devotion to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kudrow/i-like-when-there-are-complicated-relationships-that-there-s-a-little/)

[Lisa Kudrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kudrow/)

> [He lies, she cries. He's not sorry, but he apologizes. She complains, he doesn't change, but yet, she still stays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/he-lies-she-cries-he-s-not-sorry-but-he-apologizes-she-complains-he/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Push me away, if you dont feel like you can be faithful, pull me close, if I'm the one you cant leave without, hold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/push-me-away-if-you-dont-feel-like-you-can-be-faithful-pull-me-close/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [There are two reasons why we don't trust people. 1st: We don't know them 2nd: We know them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-are-two-reasons-why-we-don-t-trust-people-1st-we-don-t-know-2/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Worst thing I hate about relationship is sometime too much care and honesty becomes reason of ur break up... so it is confusing question…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu/worst-thing-i-hate-about-relationship-is-sometime-too-much-care-and/)

[Ritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu/)

> [“Fat daughters and their thin mothers have especially complicated relationships.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxane-gay/fat-daughters-and-their-thin-mothers-have-especially-complicated/)

[Roxane Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxane-gay/)

> [I think by that time I knew where Chewie was going, and he left me to do what was called for, because the character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mayhew/i-think-by-that-time-i-knew-where-chewie-was-going-and-he-left-me-to/)

[Peter Mayhew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mayhew/)

> [It's every actor's dream to be called the character's name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varun-sharma/it-s-every-actor-s-dream-to-be-called-the-character-s-name/)

[Varun Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varun-sharma/)

## More by August Strindberg

> [Not everyone is capable of madness; and of those lucky enough to be capable, not many have the courage for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/not-everyone-is-capable-of-madness-and-of-those-lucky-enough-to-be/)

[August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/)

> [Growing old-it's not nice, but it's interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/growing-old-it-s-not-nice-but-it-s-interesting/)

[August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/)

> [People who keep dogs are cowards who haven't got the guts to bite people themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/people-who-keep-dogs-are-cowards-who-haven-t-got-the-guts-to-bite/)

[August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/)

> [Sometimes not seeing things can be a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/sometimes-not-seeing-things-can-be-a-blessing/)

[August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/)

> [When aristocrats pretend they're common people -- they get common!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/when-aristocrats-pretend-they-re-common-people-they-get-common/)

[August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/)

> [“It appears from these letters that for some time past you have been arraying my old friends against me by spreading reports about my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/it-appears-from-these-letters-that-for-some-time-past-you-have-been/)

[August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/)

> [Everything can happen, everything is possible and probable. Time and place do not exist; on a significant bases of reality, the imagination spins, weaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/everything-can-happen-everything-is-possible-and-probable-time-and/)

[August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/)

> [“LAWYER. Justice that destroys itself in seeking to be just!— — —Right, that so often fosters wrong!!! DAUGHTER”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/lawyer-justice-that-destroys-itself-in-seeking-to-be-just-right-that/)

[August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/)

> [“CAPTAIN. Well, you dear, have I forgotten it? You have been like a mother to me, and always have stood by me when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/captain-well-you-dear-have-i-forgotten-it-you-have-been-like-a-mother/)

[August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/)

> [Now I know the full power of evil. It makes ugliness seem beautiful and goodness seem ugly and weak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/now-i-know-the-full-power-of-evil-it-makes-ugliness-seem-beautiful/)

[August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/)

> [When people drink, they talk, and talk is dangerous!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/when-people-drink-they-talk-and-talk-is-dangerous/)

[August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/)

> [“My daughter became my enemy when she had to choose between me and you. And you, my wife, you have been my archenemy, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/my-daughter-became-my-enemy-when-she-had-to-choose-between-me-and-you/)

[August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/)

> [“LAURA. Suppose that I was prepared to bear anything, even to being despised and driven out, everything for the sake of being able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/laura-suppose-that-i-was-prepared-to-bear-anything-even-to-being/)

[August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/)

> [“Now you have fulfilled your function as an unfortunately necessary father and breadwinner, you are not needed any longer and you must go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/now-you-have-fulfilled-your-function-as-an-unfortunately-necessary/)

[August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/)

> [“The mother was your friend, you see, but the woman was your enemy, and love between the sexes is strife. Do not think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/the-mother-was-your-friend-you-see-but-the-woman-was-your-enemy-and/)

[August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/)

[Explore all 119 August Strindberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/)

## More Character quotes

> [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/)

[Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/)

> [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/)

[Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/)

> [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/)

[Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/)

> [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/)

[Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/)

> [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/)

[Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/)

> [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/)

David Hudgins

> [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/)

[Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/)

> [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/)

[Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/)

> [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/)

[Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/)

> [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/)

[Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/)

> [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/)

[Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/)

> [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/)

[Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/)

> [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/)

[Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/)

> [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/)

[Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/)

[Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "A man with a so-called character is often a simple piece of mechanism; he has often only one point of view for the extremely complicated relationships of life.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "August Strindberg"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/a-man-with-a-so-called-character-is-often-a-simple-piece-of-mechanism/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Character"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/a-man-with-a-so-called-character-is-often-a-simple-piece-of-mechanism/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/august-strindberg-3638_character_a-man-with-a-so-called-character-is-ofte_3232718.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/august-strindberg-3638_character_a-man-with-a-so-called-character-is-ofte_3232718.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/august-strindberg-3638_character_a-man-with-a-so-called-character-is-ofte_3232718.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“A man with a so-called character is often a simple piece of mechanism; he has often only one point of view…” — August Strindberg",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "August Strindberg",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "A man with a so-called character...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/a-man-with-a-so-called-character-is-often-a-simple-piece-of-mechanism/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/a-man-with-a-so-called-character-is-often-a-simple-piece-of-mechanism/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
