“What is existence for but to be laughed at if men in their twenties have already attained the utmost?”

Danish philosopher, theologian, poet, social critic, and religious writer

Søren Aabye Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher, theologian, poet, social critic, and religious writer. He is widely regarded as the first existentialist philosopher, and he lived in the early to mid 19th century. His writing examines organized religion, Christianity, morality, ethics, psychology, love, and the philosophy of religion. He often used metaphor, irony, and parable, and his work returns again and again to the question of how a person lives as a single individual, with emphasis on authenticity, personal choice, commitment, and the duty to love.