Quotes from book
Writing Sampler

Name: Writing Sampler
Author: Sören Kierkegaard

Writing Sampler was an unpublished work by the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. The pseudonymous author attached to the Sampler is A.B.C.D.E.F. Godthaab. Sampler was intended to be a sequel to the Prefaces which was published in 1844. It was translated and published posthumously in English in 1997.Writing Sampler was intended to emphasize the ironic and satirical elements of the Prefaces. It is also a historical social commentary of life in Copenhagen in the 1840s, and it references people and events of note at the time. In particular, it focuses on the relationship between the esthetic and religious stages of life.

“Therefore create me! You, the most esteemed, cultured public, are in possession of nervus rerum gerendarum [the moving force to accomplish something]. Just a word from you, a promise to purchase what I write, or, if it is possible, so that everything can be in order immediately, a little advance payment – and I am an author; I shall remain one as long as this favor lasts.”

Sören Kierkegaard book Writing Sampler

Søren Kierkegaard, Writing Sampler, Nichol P. 75
1840s, Writing Sampler (1844)

“In an age as agitated as ours, it no longer suffices just to be advertised in the newspaper. To be advertised in this way is the same thing as being consigned to oblivion. If one is to be noticed, once must as least appear on the first page under a hand that points to and, as it were, announces or advertises the advertisement.”

Sören Kierkegaard book Writing Sampler

Søren Kierkegaard, Writing Sampler, Nichol P. 73
1840s, Writing Sampler (1844)

“When one merely states that one has many subscribers and keeps on saying it, then one gets many; just as when one sheep goes to water, the next one also goes, and when it is continually said of a large flock of sheep that they go hither and yon to water, then the rest must also go, so people believe that it must be the demand of the times, that for the sake of use and custom – they must also subscribe.”

Sören Kierkegaard book Writing Sampler

Søren Kierkegaard, Writing Sampler, Nichol P. 89-90
1840s, Writing Sampler (1844)