Boris Pasternak, the Nobel Prize-winning Russian poet and novelist, left behind words that still inspire today. Best known for Doctor Zhivago, his quotes reflect deep wisdom about life, love, art, and resilience. Whether you’re looking for motivation or a fresh perspective, Pasternak’s words have a timeless appeal.
Boris Pasternak on Life and Existence
Pasternak saw life as a mix of beauty and struggle. His words remind us to embrace every moment.
🔹 “Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us.”
🔹 “Man is born to live, not to prepare for life.”
🔹 “What is laid down, ordered, factual, is never enough to embrace the whole truth.”
🔹 “The great majority of us are required to live a life of constant duplicity.”
Ever felt like life is full of contradictions? Pasternak did too.
Boris Pasternak on Love and Passion
Love, for Pasternak, was intense and transformative. His words capture its raw power.
🔹 “Love is not weakness. It is strong. Only the sacrament of love can bring man closer to truth.”
🔹 “You fall into my arms. You are the good gift of destruction’s path, when I am sick of everything but you.”
🔹 “No deep and strong feeling, such as we may come across here and there in the world, is unmixed with compassion.”
Love isn’t just about happiness—it’s about depth.
Boris Pasternak on Art and Creativity
Pasternak believed art was a force of truth. His thoughts on creativity still resonate.
🔹 “Literature is the art of discovering something extraordinary about ordinary people, and saying with ordinary words something extraordinary.”
🔹 “Art has two constant, two unending concerns: It always meditates on death and thus always creates life.”
🔹 “A book is a piece of the outside world, and it can be as dangerous as a revolver in the pocket.”
Ever wondered why some stories stay with you forever? Pasternak knew why.
Boris Pasternak on Courage and Resilience
Life wasn’t easy for Pasternak, but his words show strength.
🔹 “I don’t like people who have never fallen or stumbled. Their virtue is lifeless and it isn’t of much value.”
🔹 “You must overcome your own pain to understand the pain of others.”
🔹 “What for centuries raised man above the beast is not the cudgel but the irresistible power of unarmed truth.”
Struggle shapes us. Pasternak’s life proves it.
Boris Pasternak on Nature and Beauty
Nature was a constant muse for Pasternak. His words paint vivid pictures.
🔹 “The whisper of the leaves, the scent of the earth—everything spoke to me in a language I understood.”
🔹 “Winter was spreading over the world the ash of its burnt-out fires.”
🔹 “The grass was wet with dew, and the birds were singing as if they knew something wonderful was about to happen.”
Ever stopped to really see nature? Pasternak did.
Boris Pasternak on Truth and Freedom
He believed truth was worth fighting for, no matter the cost.
🔹 “The most unbearable thing is not to be able to tell the truth.”
🔹 “No bad man can be a good poet.”
🔹 “Only the person who has experienced light and darkness, war and peace, rise and fall, only that person has truly experienced life.”
Would you stand for truth, even if it’s hard?
Boris Pasternak on Time and Change
Time, for Pasternak, was both a healer and a thief.
🔹 “Time is the best teacher, but unfortunately, it kills all its pupils.”
🔹 “The past is always beautiful. So, for that matter, is the future.”
🔹 “Everything changes, but nothing is truly lost.”
Ever looked back and realized how much you’ve grown?
Final Thoughts
Boris Pasternak’s words are more than quotes—they’re life lessons. Whether it’s love, art, or resilience, his wisdom stays fresh. Which quote speaks to you the most? Keep these words close. They might just change how you see the world.