Ivan Turgenev

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

— Ivan Turgenev

“Yes," he said, without looking at anyone; "it's a misfortune to live five years in the country like this, far from the…

— Ivan Turgenev

Illness isn't the only thing that spoils the appetite.

— Ivan Turgenev

All human beings hang by a thread, an abyss may open under their feet at any moment, and yet they have to…

— Ivan Turgenev

“[...] no carrot would be permitted in a soup that had not first assumed a rhomboidal or trapezoidal shape. ”

— Ivan Turgenev

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

— Ivan Turgenev

Each individual is more or less dimly aware of his significance, is aware that he's something innately superior, something eternal--and lives, is…

— Ivan Turgenev

“The misfortune of solitary and timid people - who are timid from self-consciousness - is just that, though they have eyes and…

— Ivan Turgenev

“O youth! youth! you go your way heedless, uncaring – as if you owned all the treasures of the world; even grief…

— Ivan Turgenev

Significance is sweet ...

— Ivan Turgenev

Only one thing bothered me: at this very moment, as they say, of inexplicable bliss there would be a sinking feeling at…

— Ivan Turgenev

Nothing is worse and more hurtful than a happiness that comes too late.

— Ivan Turgenev

Whatever man prays for, he prays for a miracle. Every prayer reduces itself...

— Ivan Turgenev

“was coming to that troubled twilight time, a time of regrets that resemble hopes, of hopes that resemble regrets, when youth is…

— Ivan Turgenev

“Oh, sweet emotions, gentle harmony, goodness and peace of the softened heart, melting bliss of the first raptures of love, where are…

— Ivan Turgenev

Go forward while you can, but if your strength fails you, sit down near the road and gaze without anger or envy…

— Ivan Turgenev

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

— Ivan Turgenev

Ah, but in time the heat of noontide passes, and to it there succeed nightfall and dusk, with a return to the…

— Ivan Turgenev

Even nightingales can’t be fed on fairy tales.

— Ivan Turgenev

I was afraid of looking into my heart...afraid of thinking seriously about anything...I did not want to know whether I was loved,…

— Ivan Turgenev

That's what children are for—that their parents may not be bored.

— Ivan Turgenev