Communication Quote by Vladimir Nabokov
““The color of one's creed, neckties, eyes, thoughts, manners, speech, is sure to meet somewhere in time of space with a fatal objection from a mob that hates that particular tone. And the more brilliant, the more unusual the man, the nearer he is to the stake. Stranger always rhymes with danger. The meek prophet, the enchanter in his cave, the indignant artist, the nonconforming little schoolboy, all share in the same sacred danger. And this being so, let us bless them, let us bless the freak; for in the natural evolution of things, the ape would perhaps never have become man had not a freak appeared in the family.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Gift of the Magi, 1965 (hypothetical source)
Unique or brilliant individuals often attract hostility, yet their distinctiveness is essential for progress; society should protect and celebrate them.
In simple terms: Being different can be dangerous but drives evolution.
Key Takeaway
Support and protect unconventional thinkers.
Themes
conformity
danger
creativity
progress
Mood
defiant
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- artistic expression
- scientific innovation
- social activism
- personal identity
Key Concepts
social dynamics
individualism
evolution
risk
Questions to Reflect On
- What risks do you face for being different?
- How can societies nurture rather than punish uniqueness?
A Different Perspective
Celebrating nonconformists can provoke backlash.
![“...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)
