Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt Quotes

Powerful Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt for Daily Growth

About Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt is a renowned French playwright, novelist, and essayist, born on February 8, 1960, in Strasbourg, France. His father, Daniel Schmitt, was a Protestant pastor, and his mother, Marie-Annick Boegner, was a Catholic schoolteacher – a unique blend of religious influences that often permeates his work. Schmitt began his literary career while studying philosophy at the University of Strasbourg. His first play, "Les Derniers Jours de Socrate" (The Last Days of Socrates), was a great success in 1984, winning the Prix Jean-Jacques Gautier for best student production. This early success set the stage for a prolific career. In 1993, Schmitt's play "Archipel Gulag" (Archipelago Gulag) was a huge success, earning him critical acclaim and the Molière Award for Best Author. The play is a powerful interpretation of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's "The Gulag Archipelago," exploring themes of hope, resistance, and the human spirit. One of Schmitt's most famous works, "Le Voyage de my Elle" (My Father's Journey), was published in 1997. This heartwarming novel tells the story of a man who embarks on a journey to reconnect with his estranged father and reconcile their differences, striking a chord with readers worldwide. Schmitt's works often blend humor, drama, and philosophy, reflecting his unique perspective and the diverse influences in his life. He continues to write and produce plays, novels, and essays, leaving a lasting impact on French literature and theater.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is a play, act your part wisely."

This quote by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt suggests that life should be approached as if it's a stage play, with each person playing their own role. The implication here is to recognize the significance of one's actions (acts) in life and strive to make them meaningful, thoughtful, and purposeful (acting wisely). In essence, it encourages us to live intentionally and mindfully, understanding that our choices have consequences and can impact not just ourselves but also those around us.


"Everyone carries a shadow, and the less it is embodied in the individual's conscious life, the blacker and denser it is."

This quote suggests that everyone has aspects of their personality or experiences that they hide from themselves, or are unaware of. These hidden parts, often repressed due to societal expectations or personal discomfort, can accumulate over time and may become darker or more intense as they remain unexamined. The more these unconscious aspects remain in the shadows, the more potent their influence on one's thoughts, emotions, and actions may be. It is important for individuals to acknowledge these hidden parts of themselves to maintain a healthy understanding of their own identity and promote personal growth.


"The more we love, the weaker we become. Love destroys almost everything that makes us strong."

This quote by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt suggests a poignant view on the paradoxical nature of love. While love is often associated with joy, connection, and strength, it can also make us vulnerable and weaker. The reason being that when we love deeply, we open ourselves up to potential hurt, heartbreak, and loss. In doing so, we may become less guarded, more susceptible, and hence, potentially weaker. This quote invites reflection on the delicate balance between the power and vulnerability that love can bring into our lives.


"I believe in miracles. They happen every day."

This quote by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt suggests that he believes in extraordinary, seemingly impossible events happening routinely in our daily lives. In essence, he sees the world as full of marvelous occurrences beyond normal expectations or explanations, often referred to as miracles. It encourages us to appreciate and recognize the wonders in our everyday experiences and maintain an optimistic outlook on life.


"Everyone thinks about changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself."

This quote by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt emphasizes that individual change is a prerequisite for global transformation. It suggests that before we aim to alter the world around us, it's crucial to first reflect on our own behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs. By focusing on personal growth and self-improvement, we can become better versions of ourselves and positively influence those around us, eventually leading to change in society as a whole. It encourages introspection and reminds us that our inner transformations matter, serving as stepping stones towards broader societal transformation.


I find mirrors detestable; I dislike seeing myself. Of course, there's a mirror in the bathroom, but it's a magnifying one for shaving. Photographs are fine, but I don't like mirrors because they take you by surprise.

- Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

Mirror, Surprise, Mirrors, Shaving

I don't like apartments - the idea of other people living, copulating and defecating above me - they make me feel as trapped as a slice of ham in a sandwich. When I was a student in Paris, I always rented attics right at the top of buildings, and as soon as I was making enough money, I bought houses.

- Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

Student, Other, Idea, Enough Money

In Brussels, you are able to have a lot of appointments in a day. In Paris, you can have one, two, maybe three, but you spend all your time on the road, in the car or in the suburbs. In Brussels, everything is easy. It's not a very big city, and the people are very quiet and warm.

- Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

Big, Very, Suburbs, Big City

Everything in life can be tiring and tiresome if we don't have the ability to look at it as if it's the first time we've ever done it.

- Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

Life, Look, Done, Tiring

I wanted to become a director before I wanted to become a writer. When I was 10, people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I said, 'Walt Disney.' I wanted to make films. But I wasn't offered a camera. I was offered language. So I started telling stories in the theatre and then in my novels.

- Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

Language, Before, Telling, Disney

I really enjoy spending Sunday evenings with friends, because Sunday evenings are always frightening. You are obsessed by the fact that you are working again the next day. And sometimes you get the blues.

- Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

Next, Always, Obsessed, Frightening

I really enjoy spending Sunday evenings with friends, because Sunday evenings are always frightening. You are obsessed by the fact that you are working again the next day. And sometimes you get the blues. I always decide to spend it with friends. It's very nice.

- Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

Fact, Next, Very, Frightening

You have to really use your imagination to refresh your daily life.

- Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

Daily, Daily Life, Use, Refresh

I have some beautiful 20th-century drawings and a few paintings, but I'm not a collector, and I'm not particularly attached to objects.

- Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

Beautiful, Some, Drawings, Attached

I consider a house without books or a piano to be unfurnished.

- Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

House, Books, Consider, Piano

When I start a book, it's every day. There is no Saturday, no Sunday. It's every day, because if I stop one day, I'm afraid of losing the book and losing the energy.

- Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

Book, Every Day, Saturday, Sunday

Balthazar Balsan is not a self-portrait. If he was, I'd have made the character more flattering.

- Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

Character, More, Made, Flattering

I am not married anymore. I hate marriage... but it's okay now.

- Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

Marriage, I Am, Now, Okay

I can spend the day without writing or reading, but I can't spend a day without listening to music.

- Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

Music, Listening, Writing, Spend

I can spend the day without writing or reading, but I can't spend a day without listening to music. I listen to music on a Walkman; it's from the 19th century, I know.

- Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

Listening, Reading, Without, 19th Century

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