Varlam Shalamov Quotes

#1. Life repeats Shakespearian themes more often than we think. Did Lady Macbeth, Richard III, and King Claudius exist only in the Middle Ages? Shylock wanted to cut a pound of flesh from the body of the merchant of Venice. Is that a fairy tale?

Varlam Shalamov

#2. If bones could freeze, then the brain could also be dulled and the soul could freeze over. And the soul shuddered and froze- perhaps to remain frozen forever.

Varlam Shalamov

#3. There is a much that a man should not see, should not know, and if he should see it, it is better for him to die.

Varlam Shalamov

#4. Tragedy is not deep and sharp if it can be shared with friend.

Varlam Shalamov

#5. A human being survives by his ability to forget. Memory is always ready to blot out the bad and retain only the good.

Varlam Shalamov

#6. We realized that life, even the worst of life, consists of an alternation of joys and sorrow, successes and failure more than the successes.

Varlam Shalamov