--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Eh, Nikanor Ivanovich!' the unknown man…" description: "\"“Eh, Nikanor Ivanovich!' the unknown man exclaimed soulfully. 'What are official and unofficial persons? It all depends on your point of view on the su..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad4/mikhail-bulgakov-1389_official_eh-nikanor-ivanovich-the-unknown-man-exc_2864854.jpg" --- # Eh, Nikanor Ivanovich!' the unknown man exclaimed… ![“Eh, Nikanor Ivanovich!' the unknown man exclaimed soulfully. 'What are official and unofficial persons? It all depends on your point of view on the subject. It's all fluctuating and relative, Nikanor Ivanovich. Today I'm a unofficial person, and tomorrow, lo and behold, I'm an official one! And it…” quote by Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad4/mikhail-bulgakov-1389_official_eh-nikanor-ivanovich-the-unknown-man-exc_2864854.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad4/mikhail-bulgakov-1389_official_eh-nikanor-ivanovich-the-unknown-man-exc_2864854.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad4/mikhail-bulgakov-1389_official_eh-nikanor-ivanovich-the-unknown-man-exc_2864854.jpg) > ““Eh, Nikanor Ivanovich!' the unknown man exclaimed soulfully. 'What are official and unofficial persons? It all depends on your point of view on the subject. It's all fluctuating and relative, Nikanor Ivanovich. Today I'm a unofficial person, and tomorrow, lo and behold, I'm an official one! And it happens the other way round -oh, how it does!" - Chapter 9”” [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Highlights the fluidity of official status, showing how roles shift with perspective and circumstance. **In simple terms:** Official status is relative. Key Takeaway Question authority’s fluidity. Themes power relativity identity Mood skeptical philosophical Type literary reflective When to use this quote - bureaucracy - career changes - social movements Key Concepts Social hierarchy political roles Questions to Reflect On - How do you define legitimacy? - What changes perception of authority? A Different Perspective May cause instability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ivanovich Unknown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ivanovich-unknown-3886142/) [Official](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/official/) [Point of view](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/point-of-view/) [Unofficial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unofficial-710330/) [Unofficial Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unofficial-person-3886140/) [Unofficial Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unofficial-persons-3886141/) ## Related quotes > [“I'm the official unofficial reporter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-b-nosey/i-m-the-official-unofficial-reporter/) [I.B. Nosey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-b-nosey/) > [Even if it's an unofficial game, if I am on the pitch, I don't want to lose any game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adama-traore/even-if-it-s-an-unofficial-game-if-i-am-on-the-pitch-i-don-t-want-to/) [Adama Traore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adama-traore/) > [I don't like this official/unofficial distinction. It sound, er, officious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-wall/i-don-t-like-this-official-unofficial-distinction-it-sound-er/) [Larry Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-wall/) > [Maybe I was 7 - I probably am exaggerating a little - and immediately was plunged into the fact that there was an official…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-balaban/maybe-i-was-7-i-probably-am-exaggerating-a-little-and-immediately-was/) [Bob Balaban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-balaban/) > [The pictures and dresses and official functions - that's my job, but it's not my whole life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-gregoire-trudeau/the-pictures-and-dresses-and-official-functions-that-s-my-job-but-it/) [Sophie Gregoire Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-gregoire-trudeau/) > [A government official is a man who has risen from obscurity to something worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-robertson/a-government-official-is-a-man-who-has-risen-from-obscurity-to/) [Pat Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-robertson/) > [I think Dianne Feinstein may be the most Orwellian political official in Washington. It is hard to imagine having a government more secretive than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/i-think-dianne-feinstein-may-be-the-most-orwellian-political-official/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [She call me the referee cause I be so official. My shirt aint got no stripes but I can make that pussy whistle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/she-call-me-the-referee-cause-i-be-so-official-my-shirt-aint-got-no/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [The official Hamas charter calls for the murder of Jews and destruction of the Jewish state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-klein/the-official-hamas-charter-calls-for-the-murder-of-jews-and/) [Aaron Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-klein/) > [I condemn all statements - made in sincerity or jest - that threaten or suggest the use of violence against the president of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-broun/i-condemn-all-statements-made-in-sincerity-or-jest-that-threaten-or/) [Paul Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broun/) > [Letters actually work. Even the top dog himself takes time every day to read 10 letters that are picked out by staff. I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omar-ahmad/letters-actually-work-even-the-top-dog-himself-takes-time-every-day/) [Omar Ahmad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omar-ahmad/) > [I was Tea Party years before there was an official Tea Party.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niger-innis/i-was-tea-party-years-before-there-was-an-official-tea-party/) [Niger Innis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niger-innis/) > [There's nothing worse - I don't like listening to actors talk about the process, especially when - I mean, for me I've played a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-speedman/there-s-nothing-worse-i-don-t-like-listening-to-actors-talk-about-the/) [Scott Speedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-speedman/) > [When an accident or a crime happens, there's a period of time before the yellow tape goes up, before the official response becomes formalized.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-gilroy/when-an-accident-or-a-crime-happens-there-s-a-period-of-time-before/) [Dan Gilroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-gilroy/) > [In 1887, Oregon became the first state to make Labor Day an official holiday, with Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York quickly following suit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-i-koerner/in-1887-oregon-became-the-first-state-to-make-labor-day-an-official/) [Brendan I. Koerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-i-koerner/) ## More by Mikhail Bulgakov > [“The Procurator did not squint because the sun dazzled him. No! For some reason, he did not want to see the group of condemned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/the-procurator-did-not-squint-because-the-sun-dazzled-him-no-for-some/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“…i głośno, radośnie oznajmił: - Utną panu głowę!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/i-g-o-no-rado-nie-oznajmi-utn-panu-g-ow/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [If it is true that cowardice is the most grave vice, then the dog, at least, is not guilty of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/if-it-is-true-that-cowardice-is-the-most-grave-vice-then-the-dog-at/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“-No, to rzeczywiście nie są pieniądze – lekceważąco powiedział do swego gościa Woland – chociaż szczerze mówiąc, nawet tyle nie jest panu potrzebne. -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/no-to-rzeczywi-cie-nie-s-pieni-dze-lekcewa-co-powiedzia-do-swego-go/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [The tongue can conceal the truth, but the eyes never! You're asked an unexpected question, you don't even flinch, it takes just a second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/the-tongue-can-conceal-the-truth-but-the-eyes-never-you-re-asked-an/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [This twenty-year-old boy was distinguished from childhood by strange qualities, a dreamer and an eccentric. A girl fell in love with him, and he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/this-twenty-year-old-boy-was-distinguished-from-childhood-by-strange/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“You should never ask anyone for anything. Never—and especially from those who are more powerful than yourself. They will make the offer and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/you-should-never-ask-anyone-for-anything-never-and-especially-from/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [Cowardice is the greatest sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/cowardice-is-the-greatest-sin/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“Too bad!' the feisty poet responded. 'Yes, too bad!' the stranger agreed, his eye flashing, and went on: 'But here is a question that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/too-bad-the-feisty-poet-responded-yes-too-bad-the-stranger-agreed-his/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“Don't be afraid, your majesty... Don't be afraid, your majesty, the blood has long since drained away into the earth and grapes have grown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/don-t-be-afraid-your-majesty-don-t-be-afraid-your-majesty-the-blood/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“But this is what disturbs me: if there is no God, then, the question is, who is in control of man's life and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/but-this-is-what-disturbs-me-if-there-is-no-god-then-the-question-is/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“If you’ve been exiled, why don’t you send me word of yourself? People do send word. Have you stopped loving me? No, for some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/if-you-ve-been-exiled-why-don-t-you-send-me-word-of-yourself-people/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“Tu nieznajomy uprzejmie zdjął beret i pisarzom nie pozostawało nic innego, jak wstać i ukłonić się.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/tu-nieznajomy-uprzejmie-zdj-beret-i-pisarzom-nie-pozostawa-o-nic/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“Thou art a black God! I curse Thee, God of thieves, their soul and protector! (191)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/thou-art-a-black-god-i-curse-thee-god-of-thieves-their-soul-and/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“-No, więc ja wysłałem depeszę. I co dalej? Popławskiemu zawirowało w głowie, stracił władzę w rękach i nogach, wypuścił z ręki walizkę i opadł…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/no-wi-c-ja-wys-a-em-depesz-i-co-dalej-pop-awskiemu-zawirowa-o-w-g/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) [Explore all 186 Mikhail Bulgakov quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) ## More Official quotes > [In 1887, Oregon became the first state to make Labor Day an official holiday, with Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York quickly following suit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-i-koerner/in-1887-oregon-became-the-first-state-to-make-labor-day-an-official/) [Brendan I. Koerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-i-koerner/) > [When an accident or a crime happens, there's a period of time before the yellow tape goes up, before the official response becomes formalized.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-gilroy/when-an-accident-or-a-crime-happens-there-s-a-period-of-time-before/) [Dan Gilroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-gilroy/) > [There's nothing worse - I don't like listening to actors talk about the process, especially when - I mean, for me I've played a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-speedman/there-s-nothing-worse-i-don-t-like-listening-to-actors-talk-about-the/) [Scott Speedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-speedman/) > [I was Tea Party years before there was an official Tea Party.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niger-innis/i-was-tea-party-years-before-there-was-an-official-tea-party/) [Niger Innis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niger-innis/) > [Letters actually work. Even the top dog himself takes time every day to read 10 letters that are picked out by staff. I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omar-ahmad/letters-actually-work-even-the-top-dog-himself-takes-time-every-day/) [Omar Ahmad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omar-ahmad/) > [I condemn all statements - made in sincerity or jest - that threaten or suggest the use of violence against the president of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-broun/i-condemn-all-statements-made-in-sincerity-or-jest-that-threaten-or/) [Paul Broun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-broun/) > [The official Hamas charter calls for the murder of Jews and destruction of the Jewish state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-klein/the-official-hamas-charter-calls-for-the-murder-of-jews-and/) [Aaron Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-klein/) > [She call me the referee cause I be so official. My shirt aint got no stripes but I can make that pussy whistle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/she-call-me-the-referee-cause-i-be-so-official-my-shirt-aint-got-no/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [I think Dianne Feinstein may be the most Orwellian political official in Washington. It is hard to imagine having a government more secretive than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/i-think-dianne-feinstein-may-be-the-most-orwellian-political-official/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [A government official is a man who has risen from obscurity to something worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-robertson/a-government-official-is-a-man-who-has-risen-from-obscurity-to/) [Pat Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-robertson/) > [The pictures and dresses and official functions - that's my job, but it's not my whole life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-gregoire-trudeau/the-pictures-and-dresses-and-official-functions-that-s-my-job-but-it/) [Sophie Gregoire Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-gregoire-trudeau/) > [Maybe I was 7 - I probably am exaggerating a little - and immediately was plunged into the fact that there was an official…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-balaban/maybe-i-was-7-i-probably-am-exaggerating-a-little-and-immediately-was/) [Bob Balaban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-balaban/) > [Although the reasons for Michigan's malaise are varied, one big reason is our state's almost uniquely uncompetitive tax structure, which one General Motors official…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-bouchard/although-the-reasons-for-michigan-s-malaise-are-varied-one-big-reason/) [Mike Bouchard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-bouchard/) > [It's not enough for an official to be good. There has to be a system that forces them to be good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-robredo/it-s-not-enough-for-an-official-to-be-good-there-has-to-be-a-system/) [Jesse Robredo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-robredo/) > [Today, war of necessity is used by critics of military action to describe unavoidable response to an attack like that on Pearl Harbor that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/today-war-of-necessity-is-used-by-critics-of-military-action-to/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) [Browse all 137 Official quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/official/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Eh, Nikanor Ivanovich!' the unknown man exclaimed soulfully. 'What are official and unofficial persons? It all depends on your point of view on the subject. It's all fluctuating and relative, Nikanor Ivanovich. 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