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Quote by Vladimir Nabokov

“Logical reasoning may be a most convenient means of mental communication for covering short distances, but the curvature of the earth, alas, is reflected even in logic: an ideally rational progression of thought will finally bring you back to the point of departure where you return aware of the simplicity of genius, with a delightful sensation that you have embraced truth, while actually you have merely embraced your own self... anything you might term a deduction already exposes the flaw: logical development inexorably becomes an envelopment.”

Book:The Stories of Vladimir Nabokov

Work

The Stories of Vladimir Nabokov

This book features a selection of short stories written by Vladimir Nabokov, showcasing his distinctive literary style and intricate narrative techniques. more

Author

Vladimir Nabokov

Russian-born American novelist, best known for his novel 'Lolita'. Nabokov is renowned for his unique literary style and profound use of language and symbolism. more

“It's difficult to know where to begin, sir.' 'Yes, the beginning is the tricky part. But perhaps there is no beginning, perhaps we can't look that far back.' He got up from his desk and went over to the window, from where he could see thin pillar of smoke rising into the clouds. 'I never know where anything comes from, Walter.' 'Comes from, sir?' 'Where you come from, where I come from, where all this comes from.' And he gestured at the offices and homes beneath him. He was about to say something else but he stopped, embarrassed; and in any case he was coming to the limits of his understanding. He was not sure if all the movements and changes in the world were part of some coherent development, like the weaving of a quilt which remains one fabric despite its variegated pattern. Or was it a more delicate operation than this - like the enlarging surface of a balloon in the sense that, although each part increased at the same rate of growth as every other part, the entire object grew more fragile as it expanded? And if one element was suddenly to vanish, would the others disappear also - imploding upon each other helplessly as if time itself were unravelling amid a confusion of Sights, calls, shrieks and phrases of music which grew smaller and smaller? He thought of a train disappearing into the distance, until eventually only the smoke and the smell of its engine remained.”

Reason Logic Patterns Rationality Pattern

Book:Hawksmoor

Source: Hawksmoor

“Đặt liên tiếp nhiều ý với nhau không phải là lý luận, nếu giữa những ý đó không có sự liên lạc chặt chẽ. Muốn làm thành một dây xích không phải cứ để khoen nọ kế khoen kia là đủ, mà phải móc chúng vào nhau. Các nhà "hùng biện" rất hay dùng thuật chắp càn ấy để làm mê hoặc thính giả; nghe họ ta tưởng họ có lí lắm, mà về nhà, nếu được đọc bài diễn văn của họ thì mới thấy từ đầu chí cuối chỉ là một đống gạch vụn. Họ nói huyên thuyên, bàn về vấn đề xuất cảng gạo, về chính thể dân chủ, về giáo dục, ngoại giao ... rồi kết luận rằng ... mọi người phải hi sinh cho Tổ quốc.”

Logic Lyluan Nguyenhienle Nguybien

Book:Luyện Lý Trí

Source: Luyện Lý Trí

“It is one of the greatest Curses visited upon Mankind, he told me, that they shall fear where no Fear is: this astrological and superstitious Humour disarms men's Hearts, it breaks their Courage, it makes them help to bring such Calamities on themselves. Then he stopped short and looked at me, but my Measure was not yet fill'd up so I begg' d him to go on, go on. And he continued: First, they fancy that such ill Accidents must come to pass, and so they render themselves fit Subjects to be wrought upon; it is a Disgrace to the Reason and Honour of Mankind that every fantasticall Humourist can presume to interpret the Skies (here he grew Hot and put down his Dish) and to expound the Time and Seasons and Fates of Empires, assigning the Causes of Plagues and Fires to the Sins of Men or the Judgements of God. This weakens the Constancy of Humane Actions, and affects Men with Fears, Doubts, Irresolutions and Terrours. I was afraid of your Moving Picture, I said without thought, and that was why I left. It was only Clock-work, Nick. But what of the vast Machine of the World, in which Men move by Rote but in which nothing is free from Danger? Nature yields to the Froward and the Bold. It does not yield, it devours: You cannot master or manage Nature. But, Nick, our Age can at least take up the Rubbidge and lay the Foundacions: that is why we must study the principles of Nature, for they are our best Draught. No, sir, you must study the Humours and Natures of Men: they are corrupt, and therefore your best Guides to understand Corrupcion. The things of the Earth must be understood by the sentient Faculties, not by the Understanding. There was a Silence between us now until Sir Chris. says, Is your Boy in the Kitchin? I am mighty Hungry.”

Science Time Nature Logic Rational Rationality Astrology Superstition

Book:Hawksmoor

Source: Hawksmoor