"I feel as if I were a piece in a game of chess, when my opponent says of it: That piece cannot be moved"
- Søren Kierkegaard
About this Quote
This quote by Søren Kierkegaard speaks with the feeling of being helpless and not able to make a difference in one's life. It suggests that the speaker remains in a circumstance where they are not able to make any modifications or progress, and are instead stuck in a stagnant state. The metaphor of a chess piece being unable to move indicates that the speaker is unable to make any choices or take any action, and is instead at the grace of their opponent. This quote can be interpreted as a reflection on the feeling of being trapped in a circumstance where one has no control or influence. It can likewise be viewed as a tip to take control of one's life and make decisions that will cause advance and development. Eventually, this quote acts as a suggestion that we all have the power to make changes in our lives, and that we must make every effort to take control of our own destiny.
"Seem to be telling this, but really telling that. Three-dimensional writing, like three-dimensional chess. Nabokov was the other master of that. You could learn something from Nabokov on every page he ever wrote"
"The chess player who develops the ability to play two dozen boards at a time will benefit from learning to compress his or her analysis into less time"
