The satirist is prevented by repulsion from gaining a better knowledge of the world he is attracted to, yet he is forced by attraction to concern himself with the world that repels him.

Quote by Italo Calvino

Topics: Italo Calvino Quotes

The more enlightened our houses are, the more their walls ooze ghosts.

The more enlightened our houses are, the more their walls ooze ghosts.

The human race is a zone of living things that should be defined by tracing...

The human race is a zone of living things that should be defined by tracing...

What Romantic terminology called genius or talent or inspiration is nothing other than finding the...

What Romantic terminology called genius or talent or inspiration is nothing other than finding the...

It is not the voice that commands the story: it is the ear.

It is not the voice that commands the story: it is the ear.

The ideal place for me is the one in which it is most natural to...

The ideal place for me is the one in which it is most natural to...

Traveling, you realize that differences are lost: each city takes to resembling all cities, places...

Traveling, you realize that differences are lost: each city takes to resembling all cities, places...

A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say.

A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say.

The catalogue of forms is endless: until every shape has found its city, new cities...

The catalogue of forms is endless: until every shape has found its city, new cities...

In love, as in gluttony, pleasure is a matter of the utmost precision.

In love, as in gluttony, pleasure is a matter of the utmost precision.

Biographical data, even those recorded in the public registers, are the most private things one...

Biographical data, even those recorded in the public registers, are the most private things one...

Melancholy is sadness that has taken on lightness

Melancholy is sadness that has taken on lightness

Sometimes I feel like a Stepping Stone... I am that kind, young lady that offers...

Sometimes I feel like a Stepping Stone... I am that kind, young lady that offers...

Man could not live if he were entirely impervious to sadness. Many sorrows can be...

Man could not live if he were entirely impervious to sadness. Many sorrows can be...

There are moments when, even to the sober eye of Reason, the world of our...

There are moments when, even to the sober eye of Reason, the world of our...

Be happy. Talk happiness. Happiness calls out responsive gladness in others. There is enough sadness...

Be happy. Talk happiness. Happiness calls out responsive gladness in others. There is enough sadness...

Sadness is but a wall between two gardens.

Sadness is but a wall between two gardens.

Sorrows cannot all be explained away in a life truly lived, grief and loss accumulate...

Sorrows cannot all be explained away in a life truly lived, grief and loss accumulate...

There's no excuse to be bored. Sad, yes. Angry, yes. Depressed, yes. Crazy, yes. But...

There's no excuse to be bored. Sad, yes. Angry, yes. Depressed, yes. Crazy, yes. But...

The only thing worried thoughts have the power to change is what the next thing...

The only thing worried thoughts have the power to change is what the next thing...

The walls we build around us to keep sadness out also keeps out the joy.

The walls we build around us to keep sadness out also keeps out the joy.