Quotations Weblog

I knew his name because it was the kind of tidbit of information that smart people knew. It was a lot like playing piano or understanding Calculus. Smart people mention Kierkegaard, Sartre and Voltaire. I wanted to be a smart person, so I learned how to pronounce his name correctly, connected it with the concept of existentialism, and went on my merry way, knowing nothing of the man.

Then something happened when I became obsessed with Ayn Rand. I decided that her philosophy of life was the only one that worked for me. All of a sudden, all other philosophies became a source of ridicule and disdain to me. I turned my nose up to Kierkegaard and Sartre (but not Voltaire, who could hate him?). Yet, I still knew less of the man than when I began the journey.

Now, my mind has opened a crack (not the skull, just the mind set). I am now able to learn about the man whose name I dropped like a handkerchief and dropped like a lead weight. Explore the following links and books and make your own decision.

Introduction and quote compilation by Laura S. Moncur, Staff Writer.

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”

• Fear and Trembling by Soren Kierkegaard Paperback
• Papers and Journals : A Selection by Soren Kierkegaard Paperback – Many great quotes came from his journals. This book provides a selection of some of his more interesting journal entries.
• Concept of Irony by Soren Kierkegaard Paperback
• Short Life of Kierkegaard Paperback by J.A. Lowrie, Walter Lowrie – A biography of Soren Kierkegaard. The original publication date of this book was 1942, and they are still printing it today.

• The Kierkegaarden – A site which includes a collection of quotations, links to other sites and a detailed biography.