--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I hereby certify that the bearer of this…" description: "\"I hereby certify that the bearer of this note, Nikolai Ivanovich, spent the night in question at Satan's ball, having been lured there in a transportat..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a3/mikhail-bulgakov-1389_balls_i-hereby-certify-that-the-bearer-of-this_2731036.jpg" --- # I hereby certify that the bearer of this note, Nikolai… ![“I hereby certify that the bearer of this note, Nikolai Ivanovich, spent the night in question at Satan's ball, having been lured there in a transportational capacity... Hella, put in parentheses! And write 'hog.' Signed- Behemoth.” quote by Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a3/mikhail-bulgakov-1389_balls_i-hereby-certify-that-the-bearer-of-this_2731036.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a3/mikhail-bulgakov-1389_balls_i-hereby-certify-that-the-bearer-of-this_2731036.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a3/mikhail-bulgakov-1389_balls_i-hereby-certify-that-the-bearer-of-this_2731036.jpg) > “I hereby certify that the bearer of this note, Nikolai Ivanovich, spent the night in question at Satan's ball, having been lured there in a transportational capacity... Hella, put in parentheses! And write 'hog.' Signed- Behemoth.” [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. The note humorously claims a supernatural party attendance, blending absurdity with bureaucratic language. **In simple terms:** Absurd claim of attending Satan's ball. Key Takeaway Question reality versus fiction. Themes satire absurdity bureaucracy Mood playful ironic Type literary satirical When to use this quote - creative writing - performance art - social satire Key Concepts mythology literary parody Questions to Reflect On - What does the absurdity reveal about authority? - How does parody challenge norms? A Different Perspective Humor may obscure serious critique. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Behemoth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behemoth/) [Night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/night/) [Satan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satan/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“It is hereby certified that the bearer, Nikolai Ivanovich, spent the said night at Satan’s ball, having been summoned there in the capacity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bulgakov/it-is-hereby-certified-that-the-bearer-nikolai-ivanovich-spent-the/) Bulgakov > [You're not Dostoevsky,' said the citizeness, who was getting muddled by Koroviev. Well, who knows, who knows,' he replied. 'Dostoevsky's dead,' said the citizeness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/you-re-not-dostoevsky-said-the-citizeness-who-was-getting-muddled-by/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [I rarely ever put my head above the rampart and see where this big lumbering behemoth called 'global literature' is going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mitchell/i-rarely-ever-put-my-head-above-the-rampart-and-see-where-this-big/) [David Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mitchell/) > [The late '60s and the '70s, a lot of this really beautiful equipment was being made and installed into studios around the world and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-grohl/the-late-60s-and-the-70s-a-lot-of-this-really-beautiful-equipment-was/) [Dave Grohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-grohl/) > [“I was the chief of security on this civilian behemoth. Yes, that’s right – I used a big word – try not to faint.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-engela/i-was-the-chief-of-security-on-this-civilian-behemoth-yes-that-s/) [Christina Engela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-engela/) > [Logic is immaturity weaving its nets of gossamer wherewith it aims to catch the behemoth of knowledge. Logic is a crutch for the cripple,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-naimy/logic-is-immaturity-weaving-its-nets-of-gossamer-wherewith-it-aims-to/) [Mikhail Naimy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-naimy/) > [This is the way addled liberals really think. Even as they champion sucking the brains out of little babies, they think of themselves as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/this-is-the-way-addled-liberals-really-think-even-as-they-champion/) [Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/) > [Out of the sea will rise Behemoth and Leviathan, and sail 'round the high-pooped galleys... Dragons will wander about the waste places, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/out-of-the-sea-will-rise-behemoth-and-leviathan-and-sail-round-the/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [f the government is going to put money into the automobile sector, it should break up GM and Chrysler as a condition of financial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/f-the-government-is-going-to-put-money-into-the-automobile-sector-it/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [ A different \[Ronald\] Reagan-era authority: EO 12333, an executive order for foreign-intelligence collection, as opposed to the ones we now use domestically. So this… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/a-different-ronald-reagan-era-authority-eo-12333-an-executive-order/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [The turn of the century was the age of the banker, so much so that the leading bankers of the day had become legendary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/the-turn-of-the-century-was-the-age-of-the-banker-so-much-so-that-the/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [We've got crazy little sites going up against established media behemoths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/we-ve-got-crazy-little-sites-going-up-against-established-media/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [America has an interesting global role, don't we? It certainly seems to be changing. Our government right now has a softer hand than we've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-courier/america-has-an-interesting-global-role-don-t-we-it-certainly-seems-to/) [Jim Courier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-courier/) > [We can't defend Japan, a behemoth, selling us cars by the million.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-can-t-defend-japan-a-behemoth-selling-us-cars-by-the-million/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [Governance is complex, difficult, and on the whole, thankless - why ever should the Bright Young Things leave the management of their hotels, newspapers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/upamanyu-chatterjee/governance-is-complex-difficult-and-on-the-whole-thankless-why-ever/) [Upamanyu Chatterjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/upamanyu-chatterjee/) ## 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 Balls quotes > [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) > [Once you pull the trigger, you've got to throw balls aggressively and with conviction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-smith/once-you-pull-the-trigger-you-ve-got-to-throw-balls-aggressively-and/) [Alex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-smith/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/) [Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/) > [Play small ball. Get back to basics. I would say that you need to be a conservative, but you need to maintain your independent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-tantaros/play-small-ball-get-back-to-basics-i-would-say-that-you-need-to-be-a/) [Andrea Tantaros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-tantaros/) > [Donald Trump is a different ball of wax. I've been trying to say for I don't know how many months now that the traditional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/donald-trump-is-a-different-ball-of-wax-i-ve-been-trying-to-say-for-i/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Well, you can certainly teach free-throwing. And you can teach the boys to pass at angles and run in curves. - University of Kansas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darryl-dawkins/well-you-can-certainly-teach-free-throwing-and-you-can-teach-the-boys/) [Darryl Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darryl-dawkins/) > [Maybe bring in sponge balls to learn the technique and gain that experience of actually challenging for a header.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mason/maybe-bring-in-sponge-balls-to-learn-the-technique-and-gain-that/) [Ryan Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mason/) > [I like René Descartes' theory about a ball of wax. You can change its form from solid to liquid, but it's still the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmy-rossum/i-like-ren-descartes-theory-about-a-ball-of-wax-you-can-change-its/) [Emmy Rossum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmy-rossum/) > [It wasn't really touching to be young; it was touching not to be young, because you had less of life left. 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But you throw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-glanville/you-run-the-football-for-toughness-you-run-the-ball-to-tell-your/) Jerry Glanville Browse all 3,005 Balls quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I hereby certify that the bearer of this note, Nikolai Ivanovich, spent the night in question at Satan's ball, having been lured there in a transportational capacity... Hella, put in parentheses! And write 'hog.' 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