Books Quote by Vladimir Nabokov
““But after all we are not children, not illiterate juvenile delinquents, not English public school boys who after a night of homosexual romps have to endure the paradox of reading the Ancients in expurgated versions.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Art of Translation”, 1975
He critiques the infantilization of readers, arguing against treating them as uneducated or naive, especially in literary education.
In simple terms: Opposes treating readers as naive.
Key Takeaway
Respect readers’ intelligence.
Themes
literature
education
elitism
respect
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- teaching literature
- publishing
- academic discourse
- public education
Key Concepts
translation theory
reader agency
cultural literacy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can complex texts be made approachable?
- What responsibilities do educators have?
A Different Perspective
Balancing accessibility with depth is challenging.
![“...under no circumstances would he [Humbert Humbert] have interfered with the innocence of a child, if there was the least risk of a row.” quote by Vladimir Nabokov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0f0/vladimir-nabokov-198_children_under-no-circumstances-would-he-humbert_16228.jpg)
