2 Quotes by Turgenev Ivan Sergeevich

Previously young people had been expected to learn. Because they didn't want to appear to be ignoramuses, they worked hard willy nilly. But now all they have to say is: Everything in the world's nonsense! and that's that. Young people are delighted. The fact is that previously they were simply dunces and now they've suddenly become nihilists

— Посмотри, — сказал вдруг Аркадий, — сухой кленовый лист оторвался и падает на землю; его движения совершенно сходны с полетом бабочки. Не странно ли? Самое печальное и мертвое — сходно с самым веселым и живым.— О друг мой, Аркадий Николаич! — воскликнул Базаров, — об одном прошу тебя: не говори красиво.