J. August Strindberg Quotes

A collection of quotes by J. August Strindberg.

Johan August Strindberg was a renowned Swedish playwright, novelist, and essayist. He was born on January 22, 1849, in Stockholm, Sweden. Strindberg is considered one of the most influential figures in Swedish literature and an important contributor to the development of modern drama.

Throughout his career as a writer, Strindberg produced a vast body of work, including plays, novels, poetry, and various essays. His plays, such as "Miss Julie," "The Father," and "A Dream Play," challenged societal norms and delved into themes of power, sexuality, and identity. Strindberg's works often explored the complexities of human relationships and the struggles of individuals against societal constraints.

His writings underwent significant shifts in style and tone over the years, reflecting his personal and artistic evolution. Strindberg's early work was characterized by a naturalistic style, while his later works contained elements of symbolism and expressionism, aligning with the emerging modernist trends of the time.

Besides his contributions to literature, Strindberg also experimented with alchemy and was deeply interested in philosophy and the mystic sciences. He wrote extensively on subjects such as psychology, feminism, and naturalism.

J. August Strindberg passed away on May 14, 1912, in Stockholm. His literary legacy continues to inspire and captivate readers around the world, as his works explore the fundamental complexities of the human condition.

I dream, therefore I exist.

I dream, therefore I exist.

J. August Strindberg

What an occupation! To sit and flay your fellow men and then

What an occupation! To sit and flay your fellow men and then offer their skins for sale and expect them to buy them.

J. August Strindberg

Authors & Writing

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

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.

J. August Strindberg

I hated her now with a hatred more fatal than indifference b

I hated her now with a hatred more fatal than indifference because it was the other side of love.

J. August Strindberg

Sorrow has the fortunate peculiarity that it preys upon itse

Sorrow has the fortunate peculiarity that it preys upon itself. It dies of starvation. Since it is essentially an interruption of habits, it can be replaced by new habits. Constituting, as it does, a void, it is soon filled up by a real horror vacuum.

J. August Strindberg

In the old days, one married a wife; now one forms a company

In the old days, one married a wife; now one forms a company with a female partner, or moves in to live with a friend. And then one seduces the partner, or defiles the friend.

J. August Strindberg

Antipathy, dissimilarity of views, hate, contempt, can accom

Antipathy, dissimilarity of views, hate, contempt, can accompany true love.

J. August Strindberg

People are constantly clamoring for the joy of life. As for

People are constantly clamoring for the joy of life. As for me, I find the joy of life in the hard and cruel battle of life -- to learn something is a joy to me.

J. August Strindberg

The hood-winked husband shows his anger, and the word jealou

The hood-winked husband shows his anger, and the word jealous is flung in his face. Jealous husband equals betrayed husband. And there are women who look upon jealousy as synonymous with impotence, so that the betrayed husband can only shut his eyes, powerless in the face of such accusations.

J. August Strindberg

Happiness consumes itself like a flame. It cannot burn for e

Happiness consumes itself like a flame. It cannot burn for ever, it must go out, and the presentiment of its end destroys it at its very peak.

J. August Strindberg

Friendship can only exist between persons with similar inter

Friendship can only exist between persons with similar interests and points of view. Man and woman by the conventions of society are born with different interests and different points of view.

J. August Strindberg

Family... the home of all social evil, a charitable institut

Family... the home of all social evil, a charitable institution for comfortable women, an anchorage for house-fathers, and a hell for children.

J. August Strindberg

That is the thankless position of the father in the family -

That is the thankless position of the father in the family -- the provider for all, and the enemy of all.

J. August Strindberg

Why is it so painful to watch a person sink? Because there i

Why is it so painful to watch a person sink? Because there is something unnatural in it, for nature demands personal progress, evolution, and every backward step means wasted energy.

J. August Strindberg

I always disliked dogs, those protectors of cowards who lack

I always disliked dogs, those protectors of cowards who lack the courage to fight an assailant themselves.

J. August Strindberg