Vladimir Nabokov Quotes

Listen once in a while. It's amazing what you can hear.

I'm a really good eavesdropper. I listen to what people say and remember all the buzzwords.

Stare, pry, listen, eavesdrop. Die knowing something. You are not here long.

Any place is good for eavesdropping, if you know how to eavesdrop.

To listen is an effort, and just to hear is no merit. A duck hears also.

It's hard to watch something go on and be talking at the same time.

Listen or your tongue will keep you deaf.

He kept his ear so close to the ground that it was full of grasshoppers.

In apartments and cottages, on the street and in the train... I listen... More and more, I turn into one large ear, always turning to another person.

One who can see without seeming to see-- That's an observer as good as three.

For many of us, the opposite of talking isn't listening. It's waiting. When others speak, we typically divide our attention between what they're saying now and what we're going to say next - and end up doing a mediocre job at both.

The saddest part about being human is not paying attention. Presence is the gift of life.

The key to good eavesdropping is not getting caught.

Many people may listen, but few people actually hear.

People don't listen, they just wait for their turn to talk.

I see you're looking at my cuff buttons." I hadn't been looking at them, but I did now.

When you listen with perfect awareness, then listening becomes possible.

I try to impress upon my students the importance of looking, listening... paying attention, in other words. You must pay attention.

Many eyes go through the meadow, but few see the flowers in it

What you keep before your eyes will affect you.

Scripture often reminds us that it's not enough to have ears - we must use them.

What did you do?” “Well, you see, there was this pot of tea, simply sitting there…” He trailed off. “Useful thing, tea,” commented Lyall thoughtfully.

Recent research has indicated that the average individual listens for only seventeen seconds before interrupting and interjecting his own ideas.

You keep distracting me,” I tell her. “All I’m doing is sitting here talking to you!” “Exactly,” I say, and I smile at her.j