You're alive. Do something. The directive in life, the moral imperative was so uncomplicated. It could be expressed in single words, not complete sentences. It sounded like this: Look. Listen. Choose. Act.

—Boris Pasternak

About Boris Pasternak

Portrait of Boris Pasternak

Boris Leonidovich Pasternak (10 February [O.S. 29 January] 1890 – 30 May 1960) was a Russian and Soviet poet, novelist, and literary translator.

More quotations from Boris Pasternak

When a great moment knocks on the door of your life, it is often no louder than the beating of your heart, and it is easy to miss it.

—Boris Pasternak

More quotations tagged with “life”

Life is indeed difficult, partly because of the real difficulties we must overcome in order to survive, and partly because of our own innate desire to always do better, to overcome new challenges, to self-actualize. Happiness is experienced largely in striving towards a goal, not in having attained things, because our nature is always to want to go on to the next endeavor.

Life isn't simple. But the beauty of it is, you can always start over. It'll get easier.

—Barbara Hall

Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome.

life death pleasant peaceful

When people say there is too much violence in [my books], what they are saying is there is too much reality in life.

—Joyce Carol Oates

life reality violence

Life isn't always about logic and reasons—sometimes you just have to close your eyes and jump. Particularly when it comes to relationships.

—Julie James in Just the Sexiest Man Alive

life relationships logic