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Fanatacism Quote by Leonardo Padura Fuentes

“Kotov looked like an abandoned statue on the beach in the Plaza de Cataluna. The spring was at is height and the warm un bathed the city. The adviser, with his face slightly raised, was receiving the heat like a lizard slothful from the rays that were injecting him with life. He had even taken off…” quote by Leonardo Padura Fuentes
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““Kotov looked like an abandoned statue on the beach in the Plaza de Cataluna. The spring was at is height and the warm un bathed the city. The adviser, with his face slightly raised, was receiving the heat like a lizard slothful from the rays that were injecting him with life. He had even taken off his jacket and the printed kerchief he regularly wore after Ramon sat down at his side. 'What a marvelous country!' he said at last, and smiled. 'I could live here for the rest of my life.' 'Despite the Spaniards?' 'Precisely because of you. Where I come from, the people are like stones. You are all flowers. My country smells like smoked herring and hops; here it smells of olive oil and wine.' 'Your pals say we're primitive and practically dumb.' 'Don't pay too much attention to those lunatics. They confuse ideology with mysticism, and they are no more than walking machines - worse still, they're fanatics. Here they make themselves look tough, but you should see them when Moscow calls for them... Na khuy. They shit themselves. Don't look to them as an example; you don't want to be like them. You can be so much more.' p. 162””

Leonardo Padura Fuentes

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Man Who Loved Dogs by Leonardo Padura Fuentes, 2013

A visitor contrasts the vibrant, welcoming atmosphere of Spain with his homeland's harsh, unfeeling people, highlighting cultural differences and personal longing for warmth and authenticity.

In simple terms: Spain feels alive compared to his cold homeland.

Key Takeaway

Appreciate cultures that nurture the soul.

Themes

culture identity contrast longing perception

Mood

reflective nostalgic critical

Type

literary observational

When to use this quote

  • travel
  • expat life
  • cross‑cultural encounters
  • personal reflection

Key Concepts

cultural relativism nostalgia social critique

Questions to Reflect On

  • What aspects of your own culture feel like “stones”?
  • How do you seek “flowers” in everyday life?
A Different Perspective

The comparison may romanticize Spain while oversimplifying both societies.

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