“Oh, how one wishes sometimes to escape from the meaningless dullness of human eloquence, from all those sublime phrases, to take refuge in nature, apparently so inarticulate, or in the wordlessness of long, grinding labor, of sound sleep, of true music, or of a human understanding rendered speechless by emotion!”
In this quote, Boris Pasternak expresses his desire to break free from the artificial, empty language of human communication. He longs to find solace in the simplicity and authenticity of nature, hard work, deep sleep, genuine music, and profound emotions that leave us speechless. This sentiment reveals a yearning for genuine connection and meaning amidst a world cluttered with superficiality and pretense.
In today's fast-paced and noisy world, Boris Pasternak's words still hold true. With the constant bombardment of information and distractions from technology and social media, many of us find ourselves craving moments of silence and connection with nature. The need to escape from the chatter of human eloquence remains ever present, as we seek solace in the simplicity and beauty of the world around us. Whether it be through moments of quiet reflection, engaging in meaningful work, or immersing ourselves in the transformative power of music, finding respite from the noise of everyday life has become increasingly relevant in the modern world.
“Oh, how one wishes sometimes to escape from the meaningless dullness of human eloquence, from all those sublime phrases, to take refuge in nature, apparently so inarticulate, or in the wordlessness of long, grinding labor, of sound sleep, of true music, or of a human understanding rendered speechless by emotion!” - Boris Pasternak
In this quote by Boris Pasternak, the idea of seeking refuge in nature or in moments of wordlessness is explored. This prompts us to consider our own experiences and how we find solace or escape from the noise and chaos of everyday life. Here are some reflection questions to ponder:
“How intense can be the longing to escape from the emptiness and dullness of human verbosity, to take refuge in nature, apparently so inarticulate, or in the wordlessness of long, grinding labour, of sound sleep, of true music, or of a human understanding rendered speechless by emotion!”
“Gregariousness is always the refuge of mediocrities, whether they swear by Soloviev or Kant or Marx. Only individuals seek the truth, and they shun those whose sole concern is not the truth.”
“Everything established, settled, everything to do with home and order and the common ground, has crumbled into dust and has been swept away in the general upheaval and reorganization of the whole of society. The whole human way of life has been destroyed and ruined. All that's left is the bare, shivering human soul, stripped to the last shred, the naked force of the human psyche for which nothing has changed because it was always cold and shivering and reaching out to its nearest neighbor, as cold and lonely as itself.”
“It´s a good thing when a man is different from your image of him. Is shows he isn´t a type. If he were, it would be the end of him as a man. But if you can´t place him in a category, it means that at least a part of him is what a human being ought to be. He has risen above himself, he has a grain of immortality.”
“And why is it, thought Lara, that my fate is to see everything and take it all so much to heart?”
“Ordinarily, people are anxious to test their theories in practice, to learn from experience, but those who wield power are so anxious to establish the myth of their own infallibility that they turn back on truth as squarely as they can. Politics mean nothing to me. I don't like people who are indifferent to the truth.”