Quotes from Eugene Onegin
11 notable lines from Alexander Pushkin · 1833
My uncle—high ideals inspire him; but when past joking he fell sick, he really forced one to admire him— and never played a shrewder trick.
Quotations follow the James Falen translation (Oxford World's Classics, 1995) — our recommended edition.
But I am given to another, and I will be faithful to him forever.
Tatyana to Onegin, Chapter 8 I love you (why should I dissemble?); but I am now another's wife, and I'll be faithful all my life.
Tatyana to Onegin, Chapter 8 · trans. Johnston Habit is given to us from above; / It is the substitute for happiness.
Narrator, Chapter 2 Habit is Heaven's own redress: it takes the place of happiness.
Chapter 2, Stanza 31 · trans. Johnston I write to you—no more confession is needed, nothing's left to tell.
Opening of Tatyana's letter, Chapter 3 · trans. Johnston He who has lived and thought can never look on mankind without disdain.
Chapter 1 · trans. Johnston The less we love her when we woo her, the more we draw a woman in.
Chapter 4 · trans. Johnston Moscow... how many strains are fusing in that one sound, for Russian hearts! What store of riches it imparts!
Chapter 7, Stanza 36 · trans. Johnston We honor everyone with zeros, / And ourselves with ones.
Narrator, Chapter 2 But, as it is, this pied collection begs your indulgence—it's been spun from threads both sad and humoristic, themes popular or idealistic.
Dedication · trans. Johnston