Søren Aabye Kierkegaard (1830-1855) was a Danish philosopher, poet, author, and social critic. His works mainly focused on the criticism and analysis of Christianity, philosophical writings in existentialism, and human choice and emotions. Widely regarded as the ‘Father of Existentialism’, he was one of the first philosophers to deeply examine and discuss the idea of individuality.
Born to a housemaid and a wool merchant, Kierkegaard spent most of his childhood days in Copenhagen. He was introduced to philosophical writings of Christian Wolff, Ludvig Holberg, Edward Young, and most notably that of Plato and Socrates, from a very young age. His works have had a tremendous influence on later philosophers, especially in the 20th century. His writings have been translated to dozens of languages and are still read by many.
1 Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards. -Søren Kierkegaard
To understand the meaning and beauty of your life in its entirety, you need to look back into your past. But to live in your past is futile. You need to move on from your past and keep your eyes on the future.
2 To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily, not to dare is to lose oneself. -Søren Kierkegaard
To not face your fears and overcome them, will only make you bound to them. Take a leap of faith and do what your heart desires. It may not work out in the beginning, but you won’t have to live with the regret of not trying.
3 Most men pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it. -Søren Kierkegaard
We are so engrossed in our search for materialistic pleasures that we so rarely notice the little things in life that actually matter. Try to stop once in a while and look around and you’ll find beautiful things that can easily fill you with joy.
4 Our life always expresses the result of our dominant thoughts. -Søren Kierkegaard
Our thoughts are what influence and shape our lives the most. We are what we think. The kinds of thoughts that dominate your mind will be reflected in your actions and consequentially, in your life.
5 Love does not alter the beloved, it alters itself. -Søren Kierkegaard
The beauty of love is it’s inherent ability to accept the other. Unconditional love expects nothing from you and only gives. It embraces you with all your imperfections and flaws and changes you into a better person.
6 The function of prayer is not to influence God, but to change the nature of the one who prays. -Søren Kierkegaard
The act of praying has always been misunderstood to be a measure to, in essence, bribe God to do your bidding. What one fails to understand is that prayer is meant to provide hope to the one who prays and help them find in themselves a strength that they didn’t know existed.
7 Adversity draws men together and produces beauty and harmony in life’s relationships. -Søren Kierkegaard
It is in times of trouble and misfortune that people come together and learn to support each other. The darkest of times manage to bring out the goodness in people as they learn to survive together.
8 One can advise comfortably from a safe port. -Søren Kierkegaard
It is always easy for people to give out advice and condolences while they themselves are unaffected. Rare are those who can show true empathy and refrain from giving trivial advice.
9 Trouble is the common denominator of living, it is the great equalizer. -Søren Kierkegaard
Each and every one of us is going through our own troubles. Troubles are the basic essence of life. It is in the fact that all of us are going through our own varying tough times that make us so similar.
10 During the first period of a man’s life the greatest danger is not to take the risk. -Søren Kierkegaard
The biggest and most dangerous risk in one’s life is refraining from taking risks. Our fear of failure stops us from taking risks, but what one should understand is that it is taking risks that give the most gains.
11 It seems essential, in relationships and all tasks, that we concentrate only on what is most significant and important. -Søren Kierkegaard
No matter what we do, it is of utmost importance that we do not stray away from the task at hand. There will always be distractions in life, but it is by ignoring them that one can truly succeed.
12 It is the duty of the human understanding to understand that there are things which it cannot understand, and what those things are. -Søren Kierkegaard
Our understanding and intelligence are limited and come with their own boundaries. Accepting and acknowledging this simple fact is important.
13 The self-assured believer is a greater sinner in the eyes of God than the troubled disbeliever. -Søren Kierkegaard
Narrow-mindedness and the refusal to accept any form of difference in opinion is dangerous. One needs to question and analyse everything that is told to them rather than swallowing everything that is fed to them.
14 The deepest form of despair is to choose to be another than himself. -Søren Kierkegaard
Living someone else’s life is probably one of the most anguishing things. We are all different and it is important that we embrace our own individuality rather than aspiring to live our life by emulating someone else’s.
15 The unhappy person is never present to themself because they always live in the past or the future. -Søren Kierkegaard
Living in the present is what gives you the most joy and happiness. The future is uncertain and the past has already passed. Instead of worrying about the future or being upset by the past, you need to learn to live in the moment for that is where true happiness can be found.
15 Most Inspirational Quotes by Kierkegaard in 2020
1. Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards. -Søren Kierkegaard
2. To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily, not to dare is to lose oneself. -Søren Kierkegaard
3. Most men pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it. -Søren Kierkegaard
4. Our life always expresses the result of our dominant thoughts. -Søren Kierkegaard
5. Love does not alter the beloved, it alters itself. -Søren Kierkegaard
6. The function of prayer is not to influence God, but to change the nature of the one who prays. -Søren Kierkegaard
7. Adversity draws men together and produces beauty and harmony in life’s relationships. -Søren Kierkegaard
8. One can advise comfortably from a safe port. -Søren Kierkegaard
9. Trouble is the common denominator of living, it is the great equalizer. -Søren Kierkegaard
10. During the first period of a man’s life the greatest danger is not to take the risk. -Søren Kierkegaard
11. It seems essential, in relationships and all tasks, that we concentrate only on what is most significant and important. -Søren Kierkegaard
12. It is the duty of the human understanding to understand that there are things which it cannot understand, and what those things are. -Søren Kierkegaard
13. The self-assured believer is a greater sinner in the eyes of God than the troubled disbeliever. -Søren Kierkegaard
14. The deepest form of despair is to choose to be another than himself. -Søren Kierkegaard
15. The unhappy person is never present to themself because they always live in the past or the future. -Søren Kierkegaard
