Vladimir Nabokov

NABOKV-L post 0005579, Fri, 3 Nov 2000 10:31:11 -0800

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Fw: Nabokov and Cioran
Date
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Bennett" <mab@straussandasher.com>
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I recently came across the following remark in Cioran's "Anathemas and
Admirations"

"A sensation must have fallen pretty low to deign to become an idea."

I quote from memory but I believe I have it right; perhaps the French is
more elegant. In any event, the remark seems to express an rather
Nabokovian sentiment. Elsewhere, I have seen Cioran's "The Trouble With
Being Born" described as the Anti-Christ's version of "Chicken Soup For the
Soul" -- I wish I had thought of that. . . .
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EDITOR's NOTE. An aphorism that VN would have applauded, I'm sure. But, on
the other hand, where do ideas come from if not from sensory data (pace
Chomsky).