Quotes from Ivan Goncharov

Memories are the height of poetry only when they are memories of happiness. When they graze wounds over which scars have formed they become an aching pain.

The trouble is that no devastating or redeeming fires have ever burnt in my life.... My life began by flickering out.

It is a trick among the dishonest to offer sacrifices that are not needed, or not possible, to avoid making those that are required.