Dobrica Ćosić: A Visionary Writer and Politician


Full Name and Common Aliases


Dobrica Ćosić was born on November 29, 1921, in the village of Višnjića Do, near Bijeljina, Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (now Bosnia and Herzegovina). He is commonly known by his pen name Boran Đerman.

Birth and Death Dates


November 29, 1921 - October 18, 2014

Nationality and Profession(s)


Slovenian-Serbian writer, journalist, politician, and a leading figure in the Serbian nationalist movement. He is often referred to as one of the key architects of modern Serbia.

Early Life and Background


Ćosić was born into a family of Orthodox Christian farmers. His father, a World War I veteran, was of Slovenian descent, while his mother was of Serb ancestry. This unique blend of cultures would later influence Ćosić's writing and worldview. He grew up in a poor rural household, where he developed a love for literature and politics.

Education and Early Career


Ćosić began writing at an early age, influenced by the works of classical Serbian writers such as Njegoš and Maksim Gorky. He attended elementary school in his village before moving to Sarajevo to pursue higher education. In 1941, he joined the Yugoslav Partisans, where he served until the end of World War II.

Major Accomplishments


Ćosić's literary career spanned over six decades, during which he wrote numerous novels, plays, and essays that explored themes of nationalism, identity, and the human condition. Some of his notable works include:

"The Meeting at Višegrad" (1955) - a novel that explores the complexities of Serb-Croat relations
"Time is Out of Joint" (1984) - a collection of essays that critiques modern society and politics

Notable Works or Actions


In addition to his literary output, Ćosić played a significant role in shaping Serbian politics. In 1992, he was appointed as the first president of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia by Slobodan Milošević. However, his tenure was marked by controversy and criticism, with many accusing him of promoting nationalist ideologies.

Impact and Legacy


Ćosić's impact on Serbian literature and politics is undeniable. His writing often blurred the lines between fact and fiction, making it difficult to distinguish between his literary works and real-life events. This unique blend of art and reality has left a lasting legacy in Serbian culture.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Ćosić's quotes are often cited for their insight into the complexities of human nature and the role of politics in shaping society. His words continue to resonate with readers today, offering a glimpse into the turbulent history of the Balkans and the power of literature to shape our understanding of the world.

Dobrica Ćosić was a complex figure whose life's work continues to fascinate and provoke us today. Through his writing and politics, he left an indelible mark on Serbian culture and beyond.

Quotes by Dobrica Ćosić

Dobrica Ćosić's insights on:

Hadžić:Gospodine generale, te činjenice zna i Vrhovna Komanda. A sa brega se dalje vidi, stara je mudrost.General Mišić:Ali pod uslovom da oni na vrhu brega nisu slepi, da imaju bolje oči od onih što su na strani ili u podnožju. A ja u mnogim prilikama sumnjam u vidovitost onih što gledaju s vrha brega. Ako su im oblaci bliži, ljudi su im manji.
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Hadžić:Gospodine generale, te činjenice zna i Vrhovna Komanda. A sa brega se dalje vidi, stara je mudrost.General Mišić:Ali pod uslovom da oni na vrhu brega nisu slepi, da imaju bolje oči od onih što su na strani ili u podnožju. A ja u mnogim prilikama sumnjam u vidovitost onih što gledaju s vrha brega. Ako su im oblaci bliži, ljudi su im manji.
Stvari, i sve oko nas, imaju ono lice koje im mi dajemo.
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Stvari, i sve oko nas, imaju ono lice koje im mi dajemo.
Znam, i zločin se lakše priznaje od zablude. Inteligentnom čoveku najteže je da prizna zabludu. Međutim,samo od njega to se i može očekivati.
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Znam, i zločin se lakše priznaje od zablude. Inteligentnom čoveku najteže je da prizna zabludu. Međutim,samo od njega to se i može očekivati.
Čuvaj se reči, sine! Čuvaj ih se više no svega ljudskog.
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Čuvaj se reči, sine! Čuvaj ih se više no svega ljudskog.
Verovao sam da je tuga za voljenim bićem najteža patnja. Sada znam da je noćna hladnoća u rovu teža od svih duševnih patnji.Verovao sam da su muka mišljenja, tajna, duhovni problema najteži čoveku. Sad znam da čoveku ništa nije teže od nespavanja. Verovao sam da je istina najznačajnija za život, a sada sam siguran da je hleb najpreče u životu.
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Verovao sam da je tuga za voljenim bićem najteža patnja. Sada znam da je noćna hladnoća u rovu teža od svih duševnih patnji.Verovao sam da su muka mišljenja, tajna, duhovni problema najteži čoveku. Sad znam da čoveku ništa nije teže od nespavanja. Verovao sam da je istina najznačajnija za život, a sada sam siguran da je hleb najpreče u životu.
Dobro je što je noć. U njoj i ružna nesreća može da sačuva neko dostojanstvo, a i stid se stanji u čoveku kad mu drugi ne vide lice. Ali, za nekoliko sati svanuće, nastupiće dan, a na svetlosti patnja gubi dostojanstvo tragike i dobija banalni izgled svakodnevne nesreće; i onaj najčovečniji stid svetlost pretvara u sramotu...
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Dobro je što je noć. U njoj i ružna nesreća može da sačuva neko dostojanstvo, a i stid se stanji u čoveku kad mu drugi ne vide lice. Ali, za nekoliko sati svanuće, nastupiće dan, a na svetlosti patnja gubi dostojanstvo tragike i dobija banalni izgled svakodnevne nesreće; i onaj najčovečniji stid svetlost pretvara u sramotu...
Velike odluke se ne donose; one se u ljudima dogode i samo sprovode.
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Velike odluke se ne donose; one se u ljudima dogode i samo sprovode.
Ravnodušnost je, a ne mržnja, kraj svake ljubavi. Mržnja može da se ugasi i smeni obnovljenom ljubavlju, čak i jačom no pre mržnje; ravnodušnost ničim ne može da se izmeni. Ona je psihološka osnova svakog nemorala među ljudima i svake njihove surovosti.
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Ravnodušnost je, a ne mržnja, kraj svake ljubavi. Mržnja može da se ugasi i smeni obnovljenom ljubavlju, čak i jačom no pre mržnje; ravnodušnost ničim ne može da se izmeni. Ona je psihološka osnova svakog nemorala među ljudima i svake njihove surovosti.
Radoznalost je čovekov najopasniji porok.
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Radoznalost je čovekov najopasniji porok.
Jer zna i voli sve svoje, ima celovitu i preosetljivu svest o svojstvima i posebnostima svih delova tela i organa: od nožnih prstiju do ušiju, od noktiju do kose, osećao je sebe, uživao u sebi. Oni koji su to smatrali narcisoidnošću, nisu ga voleli. A on je, inače, preziranje Narcisa smatrao jednom od nižih čovekomrzačkih gluposti.
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Jer zna i voli sve svoje, ima celovitu i preosetljivu svest o svojstvima i posebnostima svih delova tela i organa: od nožnih prstiju do ušiju, od noktiju do kose, osećao je sebe, uživao u sebi. Oni koji su to smatrali narcisoidnošću, nisu ga voleli. A on je, inače, preziranje Narcisa smatrao jednom od nižih čovekomrzačkih gluposti.
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