Ivan Turgenev Quotes (26 Quotes)

Time sometimes flies like a bird, sometimes crawls like a snail; but a man is happiest when he does not even notice whether it passes swiftly or slowly.

Nature is not a temple, but a workshop, and man's the workman in it.

Nature cares nothing for logic, our human logic she has her own, which we do not recognize and do not acknowledge until we are crushed under its wheel

We sit in the mud... and reach for the stars.

A poet must be a psychologist, but a secret one: he should know and feel the roots of phenomena but present only the phenomena themselves in full bloom or as they fade away.

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

To mortify and even to injure an opponent, reproach him with the very defect or vice you feel in yourself

However much you knock at nature's door, she will never answer you in comprehensible words.

Whatever a man prays for, he prays for a miracle. Every prayer reduces itself to this 'Great God, grant that twice two be not four'.

In the end, nature is inexorable: it has no reason to hurry and, sooner or later, it takes what belongs to it. Unconsciously and inflexibly obedient to its own laws, it doesn't know art, just as it doesn't know freedom, just as it doesn't know goodness.

Women... can't live with 'em... can't shoot 'em.

I share no man's opinions I have my own.

The word tomorrow was invented for indecisive people and for children.

There are some moments in life, some feelings; one can only point to them and pass by.

Whatever a person may pray for, that person prays for a miracle. Every prayer comes down to this - Almighty God, grant that two times two not equal four.

Time, as is well known, sometimes flies like a bird and sometimes crawls like a worm, but human beings are generally particularly happy when they don't notice whether it's passing quickly or slowly.

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!

Who among us has the strength to oppose petty egoism, those petty good feelings, pity and remorse?

Circumstances define us; they force us onto one road or another, and then they punish us for it.

People without firmness of character love to make up a fate for themselves; that relieves them of the necessity of having their own will and of taking responsibility for themselves.

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.

If we wait for the moment when everything, absolutely everything is ready, we shall never begin.

Death's an old joke, but each individual encounters it anew.

I agree with no one's opinion. I have some of my own.

One may speak about anything on earth with fire, with enthusiasm, with ecstasy, but one only speaks about oneself with avidity.

To desire and expect nothing for oneself and to have profound sympathy for others is genuine holiness.