Ivan Turgenev

For myself, I detest the fellow, and think him a charlatan. I am certain that, in spite of his frogs, he is making no real progress in physics.

— Ivan Turgenev

Bazarov drew himself up haughtily. "I don't adopt any one's ideas; I have my own."

— Ivan Turgenev

Death is an old joke, but it comes like new to everyone.

— Ivan Turgenev

'There was a time,' Nikolai Artemyevitch resumed, 'when daughters did not allow themselves to look down on their parents—when the parental authority forced the disobedient to tremble. That time has passed, unhappily: so at least many persons imagine; but let me tell you, there are still laws which do not permit—do not permit—in fact there are still laws. I beg you to mark that: there are still laws——'

— Ivan Turgenev

Time (as is well known) sometimes flies like a bird, sometimes crawls like a worm. But a man feels particularly happy when he doesn't even notice whether it's passing quickly or quietly.

— Ivan Turgenev

Death's an old story, but new for each person.

— Ivan Turgenev

People without firmness of character love to make up a fate for themselves; that relieves them of the necessity of having their own will and of taking responsibility for themselves.

— Ivan Turgenev

The word tomorrow was invented for indecisive people and for children.

— Ivan Turgenev