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100 Quotes By Vladimir Nabokov That You Would Like To Share

Famous As: Best Known For His Novels 'Lolita' and 'Pale Fire'
Born On: April 23, 1899
Died On: July 2, 1977
Born In: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died At Age: 78

'Lolita', a single word that ropes in sin, sex and shame, is a delectable creation by the artful hands of Vladimir Nabokov. One of the best novels of the early twentieth century, this simple title carries a lot of weight, but this isn't all. Nabokov's best pieces like 'Pale Fire', parody 'The Real Life of Sebastian Knight' and novels 'Bend Sinister' and 'Speak. Memory' (his memoir) encloses carefully structured storyline, dramatic descriptions and experimental thinking. Vladimir was a Russian-born American fiction writer, poet, teacher, political analyst, entomologist (butterfly expert) and a highly acclaimed novelist. At National Book Award for Fiction, he was a finalist seven times. He began his career as a teacher and crossword developer. He taught boxing, tennis and designed crossword puzzles for kids in his spare time. Vladimir was a teacher of languages at Stanford, California. Later, he joined as a professor of literature at Wellesley College, Massachusetts. Being a multi-talented person, Nabokov was famous for his plays, funny sketches for 'New Yorker', criticism and stirring short stories. His research in entomology, especially the discovery of "Nabokov's wood nymph" made him famous at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University. Nabokov has so much talent that it's unbelievable. His life is an inspiring lesson for today's youths. We have excerpted Vladimir Nabokov’s quotes from his works, books, interviews and life. Here is a collection of Vladimir Nabokov quotes about love, life, poetry, writing, books, memory and much more.

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It was love at first sight, at last sight, at ever and ever sight.

It was love at first sight, at last sight, at ever and ever sight.

Vladimir Nabokov
And the rest is rust and stardust.

And the rest is rust and stardust.

Vladimir Nabokov
Our imagination flies -- we are its shadow on the earth.

Our imagination flies -- we are its shadow on the earth.

Vladimir Nabokov
I think it is all a matter of love; the more you love a memory the stronger and stranger it becomes

I think it is all a matter of love; the more you love a memory the stronger and stranger it becomes

Vladimir Nabokov
Let all of life be an unfettered howl. Like the crowd greeting the gladiator. Don't stop to think, don't interrupt the scream, exhale, release life's rapture.

Let all of life be an unfettered howl. Like the crowd greeting the gladiator. Don't stop to think, don't interrupt the scream, exhale, release life's rapture.

Vladimir Nabokov
He broke my heart. You merely broke my life.

He broke my heart. You merely broke my life.

Vladimir Nabokov
Do not be angry with the rain; it simply does not know how to fall upwards.

Do not be angry with the rain; it simply does not know how to fall upwards.

Vladimir Nabokov
Human life is but a series of footnotes to a vast obscure unfinished masterpiece

Human life is but a series of footnotes to a vast obscure unfinished masterpiece

Vladimir Nabokov
I need you, the reader, to imagine us, for we don't really exist if you don't.

I need you, the reader, to imagine us, for we don't really exist if you don't.

Vladimir Nabokov
Don't cry, I'm sorry to have deceived you so much, but that's how life is.

Don't cry, I'm sorry to have deceived you so much, but that's how life is.

Vladimir Nabokov
You can always count on a murderer for a fancy prose style.

You can always count on a murderer for a fancy prose style.

Vladimir Nabokov
The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamoring to become visible

The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamoring to become visible

Vladimir Nabokov
I knew I had fallen in love with Lolita forever; but I also knew she would not be forever Lolita.

I knew I had fallen in love with Lolita forever; but I also knew she would not be forever Lolita.

Vladimir Nabokov
She was Lo, plain Lo, in the morning, standing four feet ten in one sock. She was Lola in slacks. She was Dolly at school. She was Dolores on the dotted line. But in my arms she was always Lolita.

She was Lo, plain Lo, in the morning, standing four feet ten in one sock. She was Lola in slacks. She was Dolly at school. She was Dolores on the dotted line. But in my arms she was always Lolita.

Vladimir Nabokov
Words without experience are meaningless.

Words without experience are meaningless.

Vladimir Nabokov
We loved each other with a premature love, marked by a fierceness that so often destroys adult lives.

We loved each other with a premature love, marked by a fierceness that so often destroys adult lives.

Vladimir Nabokov
Knowing you have something good to read before bed is among the most pleasurable of sensations.

Knowing you have something good to read before bed is among the most pleasurable of sensations.

Vladimir Nabokov
Let all of life be an unfettered howl.

Let all of life be an unfettered howl.

Vladimir Nabokov
The breaking of a wave cannot explain the whole sea.

The breaking of a wave cannot explain the whole sea.

Vladimir Nabokov
Curiosity is insubordination in its purest form.

Curiosity is insubordination in its purest form.

Vladimir Nabokov
And presently I was driving through the drizzle of the dying day, with the windshield wipers in full action but unable to cope with my tears.

And presently I was driving through the drizzle of the dying day, with the windshield wipers in full action but unable to cope with my tears.

Vladimir Nabokov
Some might think that the creativity, imagination, and flights of fancy that give my life meaning are insanity.

Some might think that the creativity, imagination, and flights of fancy that give my life meaning are insanity.

Vladimir Nabokov
I mean, I have the feeling that something in my mind is poisoning everything else.

I mean, I have the feeling that something in my mind is poisoning everything else.

Vladimir Nabokov
And she was mine, she was mine, the key was in my fist, my fist was in my pocket, she was mine.

And she was mine, she was mine, the key was in my fist, my fist was in my pocket, she was mine.

Vladimir Nabokov
Dear Jesus, do something.

Dear Jesus, do something.

Vladimir Nabokov
Life is a great surprise. I do not see why death should not be an even greater one.

Life is a great surprise. I do not see why death should not be an even greater one.

Vladimir Nabokov
A writer should have the precision of a poet and the imagination of a scientist.

A writer should have the precision of a poet and the imagination of a scientist.

Vladimir Nabokov
Curiously enough, one cannot read a book; one can only reread it. A good reader, a major reader, and active and creative reader is a rereader.

Curiously enough, one cannot read a book; one can only reread it. A good reader, a major reader, and active and creative reader is a rereader.

Vladimir Nabokov
I was weeping again, drunk on the impossible past.

I was weeping again, drunk on the impossible past.

Vladimir Nabokov
All colors made me happy: even gray.
My eyes were such that literally they
Took photographs.

All colors made me happy: even gray. My eyes were such that literally they Took photographs.

Vladimir Nabokov