265 Quotes by Ivan Turgenev

It’s amazing how man still believes in words. For example, if you call him a fool and don’t beat him, he’ll be wretched. Call him a genius and don’t give him any money – he’ll be quite satisfied.

Significance is sweet...

Why is it that even when we are enjoying music, for example, or a fine evening or conversation with people we like, why does it all seem to be a hint of some limitless happiness existing somewhere else rather than a real happiness, the kind, that is, we possess ourselves?

A withered maple leaf has left its branch and is falling to the ground; its movements resemble those of a butterfly in flight. Isn’t it strange? The saddest and deadest of things is yet so like the gayest and most vital of creatures?

No! I cannot love people whom I find that I look down on. I need someone who would himself master me, but then, goodness me, I shall never come across anyone like that. I will never fall into anybody’s clutches, never, never.

Mad people all live a long time – you know, every grief has its good side.

Most people can’t understand how others can blow their noses differently than they do.

So long as one’s just dreaming about what to do, one can soar like an eagle and move mountains, it seems, but as soon as one starts doing it one gets worn out and tired.

For nature had denied him a gift for music as it had denied him a gift for everything else.