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Vita Nostra

Book by Marina Dyachenko · 10 quotes · Being Human, Change, Changing

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Vita Nostra Quotes

“What's in a name? that which we call a rose/By any other name would smell as sweet.' In other words, the essence of an object does not change depending on it's name. This is a common misconception not unlike the 'world is flat' belief. By verbally identifying an object, by giving it a name, we alter it. And at the same time we prevent it from changing. A name is like a forked stick that we use to hold a snake on the ground." Portnov imitated using a forked branch to press down an imaginary viper. "By the way, consider this: the contradictory nature of a statement almost certainly proves its legitimacy... Come in." [...] "May I continue? Thank you. However, there is also another misconception-by which a name automatically defines the properties of an object. Here is a pen." He tossed up and caught a dark-blue pen with a white top. "If I give it the name of... an earthworm, will it slither?" Second years, Group A, maintained a tense silence. No one wanted to risk an answer. "It will not." Portnov let the pen fall on his desk. "Because this given piece of plastic has nothing in common with the process and events that we are talking about, that we spend time studying... between dance parties and dealing with gastrointestinal problems. Besides, when I say 'give a name,' I do not imply any of the languages that are commonly used by any of the living persons. I am talking about Speech, which you will begin to study during your third year. Some of you may start earlier.”

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“Elle considérait la vie comme une collection de jours identiques. Pour elle, l'existence se composait de jours, et chacun de ces jours était comme un ruban qui bouclait sur lui-même, comme une chaîne de vélo au mouvement constant sur les plateaux dentés. Un déclic ... On avait changé la vitesse, les jours s'étaient légèrement altérés, mais leur écoulement restait constant, répétitif, et c'était dans cette monotonie que résidait le sens de la vie ...”

Sens De La Vie
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“Can I really read my future?" "Easily. When you buy a train ticket, you are not only reading your future, you are forming it. Your ticket states the day of your departure. The number of your carriage. Your seat. That means that in the most plausible future you will appear at the train station, approach the carriage that is mentioned on your ticket..." "Do you like making fun of me?" Sasha herself was shocked at the helplessness in her voice. Kozhenikov stopped smiling. "Forgive me. I didn't mean to offend you. This question is too serious to discuss without irony.”

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