Ivan Goncharov Quotes

It is a trick among the dishonest to offer sacrifices that are not needed, or not possible, to avoid making those that are required.

Memories are the height of poetry only when they are memories of happiness. When they graze wounds over which scars have formed they become an aching pain.

Yesterday one has wished, to-day one attains the madly longed-for object, and to-morrow one will blush to think that one ever desired it.

The trouble is that no devastating or redeeming fires have ever burnt in my life.... My life began by flickering out.

Memories are either the greatest poetry, when they are memories of a vital happiness, or a burning pain, when they touch dried wounds.p. 479

It is a trick among the dishonest to offer sacrifices that are not needed or not possible to avoid making those that are required.