Death is like a fisherman, who, having caught a fish in his net, leaves it in the water for a time; the fish continues to swim about, but all the while the net is round it, and the fisherman will snatch it out in his own good time.
IVAN TURGENEVCircumstances define us; they force us onto one road or another, and then they punish us for it.
More Ivan Turgenev Quotes
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To desire and expect nothing for oneself and to have profound sympathy for others is genuine holiness.
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I was as happy as a fish in water, and I could have stayed in that room for ever, have never left that place.
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Nothing is worse and more hurtful than a happiness that comes too late. It can give no pleasure, yet it deprives you of that most precious of rights – the right to swear and curse at your fate!
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It was only the vulgarly mediocre that repelled her.
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However much you knock at nature’s door, she will never answer you in comprehensible words.
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That’s what children are for—that their parents may not be bored.
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Nature creates while destroying, and doesn’t care whether it creates or destroys as long as life isn’t extinguished, as long as death doesn’t lose its rights.
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Belonging to oneself–the whole essence of life lies in that.
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I share no man’s opinions; I have my own.
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There are some moments in life, some feelings; one can only point to them and pass by.
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Youth eats all the sugared fancy cakes and regards them as its daily bread. But there’ll come a time when you’ll start asking just for a crust.
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In days of doubt, in days of dreary musings on my country’s fate, you alone are my comfort and support, oh great, powerful, righteous, and free Russian language!
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I’m incapable of describing the feeling with which I left. I wouldn’t want it ever to be repeated, but I would have considered myself unfortunate if I’d never experienced it.
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Whatever man prays for, he prays for a miracle. Every prayer reduces itself.
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No matter how often you knock at nature’s door, she won’t answer in words you can understand–for Nature is dumb. She’ll vibrate and moan like a violin, but you mustn’t expect a song.
IVAN TURGENEV