Human emotions Quote by Vladimir Nabokov
““The kind of poem I produced in those days was hardly anything more than a sign I made of being alive, of passing or having passed, or hoping to pass, through certain intense human emotions. It was a phenomenon of orientation rather than of art, thus comparable to stripes of paint on a roadside rock or to a pillared heap of stones marking a mountain trail. But then, in a sense, all poetry is positional: to try to express one's position in regard to the universe embraced by consciousness, is an immemorial urge. Tentacles, not wings, are Apollo's natural members. Vivian Bloodmark, a philosophical friend of mine, in later years, used to say that while the scientist sees everything that happens in one point of space, the poet feels everything that happens in one point of time.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Gift, Vladimir Nabokov, 1938
Poetry serves as a personal marker of existence, expressing intense emotions and positioning oneself within the universe, unlike science which maps space.
In simple terms: Poetry marks life and feelings, positioning the poet in time.
Key Takeaway
Use poetry to map your inner experience.
Themes
existence
emotion
position
art
science
Mood
reflective
introspective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
literary
inspirational
When to use this quote
- journaling
- creative writing
- therapy
- personal reflection
- academic study
Key Concepts
orientation
consciousness
temporal perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your work reflect your personal journey?
- In what ways can poetry capture moments science analysis cannot?
A Different Perspective
Science offers objective mapping, but may miss subjective depth.
![“...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)
