Nikolay Karamzin

The wonders of the creation may be described, but the springs of the heart operate in the heart alone.

Nikolay Mikhailovich Karamzin (12 December 1766—3 June 1826) was a Russian Imperial historian, romantic writer, poet and critic.

Quotes

• Что наша жизнь? Роман. — Кто автор? Аноним.
  Читаем по складам — смеемся, плачем — спим.
  • Life? A Romance. By whom? Anonymous.
    We spell it out; it makes us laugh and weep,
       And then puts us
         To sleep.
  • From Два Сравнения ('Two Similies'; 1797) translated by Vladimir Nabokov (1951–57) Verses and Versions (2008) p. 37

Poor Liza and Other Tales

(Original work published 1792 primarily as Бедная Лиза)

• “Liza,” she said, “how perfect are the works of the creation. I have passed upwards of sixty years in admiration of the blessings of providence, and I still find new causes for our gratitude.”

• There is a critical moment in the calendar of love, and its power is infinite.

• True happiness can only be found in the paths of virtue.

• The wonders of the creation may be described, but the springs of the heart operate in the heart alone.

• Women complain about men, and men complain about women. Who is right?

• Those pedagogues were not then in existence, and secondly, the Russians in general knew little about books. They brought up their children as nature rears her plants.