"Mankind used to be busy with wars, filling all its existence with campaigns, raids, victories, but now that has all outlived itself, leaving a huge empty space, and there's nothing to fill it with. But mankind passionately seeks and, of course, will find. If only it could be soon!" ⁠-⁠Vershinin, Act Four, THREE SISTERS

"The play was read in [Chekhov's] presence. He tried to control his indignation and repeated several times, 'But what I have written is a farce.'" ⁠-⁠Nemirovich-Danchenko