The cradle rocks above an abyss, and common sense tells us that our existence is but a brief crack of light between two eternities of darkness.

Vladimir Nabokov

Speak, Memory

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More information about this quote

Topic

The human condition Brevity of life Nature of life

Author

Vladimir Nabokov

Source

Speak, Memory

Genre

Autobiography and memoir

Language

English

Time

1951 1950s 20th century

Occupation

Novelist Writer

From

Russia Europe

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Nabokov, Vladimir. Speak, Memory. Victor Gollancz, 1951, ch. 1.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Vladimir Nabokov about the human condition: “The cradle rocks above an abyss, and common sense tells us…”
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A quote by Vladimir Nabokov about the human condition: “The cradle rocks above an abyss, and common sense tells us…”
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A quote by Vladimir Nabokov about the human condition: “The cradle rocks above an abyss, and common sense tells us…”
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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote from the 1950s

You know what charm is: a way of getting the answer yes without having asked any clear question.

Albert Camus

The Fall

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More information about this quote
Topic
Charm Persuasion

Author

Albert Camus
Source
The Fall
Medium
Novel
Genre
Philosophical literature
Statement Type
Definition
Language
French
Time
1956 1950s 20th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Camus, Albert. La Chute [The Fall]. Editions Gallimard, 1956.

Another quote about The human condition

What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express and admirable; in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god: the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals-And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust?

William Shakespeare

Hamlet

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More information about this quote
Topic
Man Human nature The human condition
Speaker
Hamlet

Author

William Shakespeare
Source
Hamlet
Medium
Play
Genre
Tragedy (play)
Language
English
Time
1616 1610s 17th century
Era
European Renaissance
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet." Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. London: Edward Blount and William and Isaac Jaggard, 1623, act 2, sc. 2.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 2, sc. 2.