Anais Nin Quotes (72+)

Enjoy the best Anais Nin Quotes. Quotations by Anais Nin (Diarist, Essayist, Novelist)
Feb 21, 1903 - Jan 14, 1977

 

What I cannot love, I overlook.

4

I want to live only for ecstasy. Small doses, moderate loves, all half-shades leave me cold. I like extravagance.

2

I am an instrument in the shape of a woman trying to translate pulsations into images.

0

Life is so fluid. It's like dancing in a river, you never touch the same water twice.

18

The writer must be in it; he can't be to one side of it, ever. He has to be endangered by it. His own attitudes have to be tested in it. The best work that anybody ever writes is the work that is on the verge of embarrassing him, always.

16

You don't find love; it finds you. It's got a little bit to do with destiny, fate, and what's written in the stars.

14

There are many ways to be free. One of them is to transcend reality by imagination, as I try to do.

12

Ordinary life does not interest me. I seek only the high moments. I am in accord with the surrealists, searching for the marvelous.

10

We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations.

8

I have an almost complete disregard of precedent and a faith in the possibility of something better. It irritates me to be told how things always have been done. I defy the tyranny of precedent. I go for anything new that might improve the past.

6

It's all right for a woman to be, above all, human. I am a woman first of all.

4

Anxiety is love's greatest killer. It makes others feel as you might when a drowning man holds on to you. You want to save him, but you know he will strangle you with his panic.

2

Anais Nin was a prominent and influential writer known for her introspective and candid exploration of human emotions, sexuality, and identity. Born on February 21, 1903, in Neuilly, France, to a Cuban father and a French-Danish mother, Nin's multicultural background played a significant role in shaping her unique perspective on life and literature.

From an early age, Anais Nin displayed an innate talent for writing, and her love for literature was fostered by her father, who introduced her to various literary works. In her late teens, she moved to the United States with her family, settling in New York City. It was there that she began to immerse herself in the artistic and literary circles of the 1920s, forming connections with renowned writers such as Henry Miller and Lawrence Durrell.

Nin's writing style was characterized by poetic prose, dreamlike imagery, and an exploration of the human psyche. She is best known for her diaries, which span several decades and provide an intimate glimpse into her thoughts and experiences. Through her diaries, she chronicled her personal struggles, relationships, and desires with unapologetic honesty, often blurring the lines between fiction and reality.

Aside from her diaries, Anais Nin authored numerous novels, essays, and short stories. Her works frequently delved into themes of love, passion, and the complexities of human relationships. Some of her notable publications include "Delta of Venus," "Little Birds," and "A Spy in the House of Love."

As a pioneer of feminist literature, Nin challenged societal norms of her time, advocating for women's liberation and sexual freedom. Her boldness in addressing taboo subjects earned her both praise and criticism, but her impact on literature and feminist thought cannot be denied.

Anais Nin's legacy extends beyond her literary contributions. She remains an inspiration to writers and readers alike, encouraging them to embrace vulnerability and explore the depths of their emotions. Her commitment to self-discovery and her relentless pursuit of authenticity continue to resonate with audiences around the world, making her a timeless figure in the realm of literature.