Ivan Turgenev was a renowned Russian novelist, playwright, and poet who gained international recognition for his works during the 19th century. His novels and plays often depicted the social and political changes taking place in Russia during that time. Turgenev’s writing style was characterized by his deep understanding of human emotions and his ability to convey them with great sensitivity. Throughout his literary career, Turgenev shared numerous profound insights and thought-provoking quotes that continue to resonate with readers today.
One of the most notable aspects of Turgenev’s quotes is his ability to capture the complexities of human relationships and the depths of human emotions. His words provide a glimpse into the human condition, exploring themes such as love, loss, and the search for meaning. Turgenev’s quotes often serve as a reflection of his own experiences and observations, offering valuable insights into the human psyche.
Read these Ivan Turgenev Quotes
“If we wait for the moment when everything, absolutely everything is ready, we shall never begin.”
“Time sometimes flies like a bird, and sometimes crawls like a snail, but a man is happiest when he does not even notice whether it passes swiftly or slowly.”
“We sit in the mud, my friend, and reach for the stars.”
“In a battle all you need to make you fight is a little hot blood and the knowledge that it’s more dangerous to lose than to win.”
“He who seeks for praise, deservedly receives blame.”
“We’re young, we’re not monsters, no fools: we’ll conquer happiness for ourselves.”
“If you want to be respected by others, the great thing is to respect yourself. Only by that, only by self-respect will you compel others to respect you.”
“We love people not so much for the good they’ve done us, as for the good we’ve done them.”
“A wise man… proportions his belief to the evidence.”
“The word ‘happiness’ would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.”
“A man is lucky if he is the first love of a woman. A woman is lucky if she is the last love of a man.”
“Men are men before they are lawyers, or physicians, or merchants, or manufacturers; and if you make them capable and sensible men they will make themselves capable and sensible lawyers or physicians.”
“Dreams, as we all know, are very queer things: some parts are presented with appalling vividness, with details worked up with the elaborate finish of jewellery, while others one gallops through, as it were, without noticing them at all, as, for instance, through space and time.”
“Everything in the world is beautiful, but Man only recognizes beauty if he sees it either seldom or from afar.”
“A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity. It dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.”
“One must be a god to be able to tell successes from failures without making a mistake.”
“The older generation, as they make way for us, have to be sternly reminded that it is our turn at last and that we shall not excuse them if they try to interfere with us, if they try to set up a barrier between us and the future. They must be told that, however well they may have understood the facts of life, we understand life itself, its meaning and its fullness. They must be told that, however great may be the experience that they can offer us, our experience is greater than theirs.”
“We shall pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness we can show, or any good thing we can do to any fellow being, let us do it now, for we shall not pass this way again.”
“A man’s got to have a way of looking at things, otherwise he won’t have any judgment at all.”
“If you want to make a man happy, add not to his possessions but take away from his desires.”
“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.”
These Ivan Turgenev quotes offer a glimpse into the mind of a brilliant writer and philosopher. They provide valuable insights into the human experience and serve as a reminder of the timeless wisdom contained within Turgenev’s works. Whether you are a fan of Russian literature or simply looking for inspiration, these quotes are sure to leave a lasting impression.
