Anton Chekhov

Every line we carry

Each one links to its source, what it means, and the shirt in any of our looks.

1. Everything in a person should be beautiful: face, clothes, soul, thoughts.

   Astrov, a tired country doctor, will not settle for a beautiful face over an empty life. Chekhov asks for the whole person to be worth looking at, inside and out. Take care of how you look, and more care of how you think.

   Uncle Vanya (1897), Act II, our translation from the Russian

2. Brevity is the sister of talent.

   Chekhov told his brother to cut, cut and cut again. Talent shows in what you leave out. Say it in fewer words and it will land harder.

   Letter to Al. P. Chekhov, 11 April 1889, our translation from the Russian

3. Don't lick it smooth. Be clumsy and bold.

   Over-polishing kills the life in a piece of work. Chekhov would rather see something rough and daring than smooth and timid. Ship the bold draft; perfection can wait.

   Letter to Al. P. Chekhov, 11 April 1889, our translation from the Russian

4. Squeeze the slave out of yourself, drop by drop.

   Chekhov, grandson of a serf, described becoming free as slow, daily work, not a single breakthrough. Habits of fear and servility leave one drop at a time. Keep squeezing until you wake up and find free blood in your veins.

   Letter to A. S. Suvorin, 7 January 1889, our translation from the Russian

5. It takes work day and night, and will. Every hour counts.

   Chekhov wrote this to his talented, drifting brother: becoming a cultured person is not done by a gesture. It takes steady work, reading and will, every day. Talent is the start; hours are the price.

   Letter to N. P. Chekhov, March 1886, our translation from the Russian