Commonsense Quote by Vladimir Nabokov
““Commonsense has trampled down many a gentle genius whose eyes had delighted in a too early moonbeam of some too early truth; commonsense has back-kicked dirt at the loveliest of queer paintings because a blue tree seemed madness to its well-meaning hoof; commonsense has prompted ugly but strong nations to crush their fair but frail neighbors the moment a gap in history offered a chance that it would have been ridiculous not to exploit.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Ada, Vladimir Nabokov, 1969
Common sense can suppress originality, misjudge unconventional art, and justify aggressive actions against weaker entities.
In simple terms: Common sense often stifles creativity and justifies cruelty.
Key Takeaway
Question and protect unconventional ideas.
Themes
creativity
conformity
power
ethics
art
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- political strategy
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
censorship
social pressure
imperialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance common sense with innovation?
- When should we challenge prevailing norms?
A Different Perspective
Common sense can also preserve safety and social cohesion.
![“...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)
