“A candle burned on the table, a candle burned … he whispered to himself — the beginning of something confused, formless; he hoped that it would take shape of itself. But nothing more came to him.”
Source: Doctor Zhivago (1957), Ch. 3 section 10
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Borís Pasternak 40
Russian writer 1890–1960Related quotes
The Compleat Gentleman, 1622
Quote from: 1001 quotations to inspire you before you die; Quintessence Editions Ltd., 2016, ISBN 978-1-84403-895-4

“Burn not thy fingers to snuff another man's candle.”
English Proverbs (1659)

“Man loves company — even if it is only that of a small burning candle.”
K 40
Aphorisms (1765-1799), Notebook K (1789-1793)

Source: The Roominghouse Madrigals: Early Selected Poems, 1946-1966

As quoted in O<sub>2</sub> : Breathing New Life Into Faith (2008) by Richard Dahlstrom, Ch. 4 : Artisans of Hope: Stepping into God's Kingdom Story, p. 63; this source is disputed as it does not cite an original document for the quote. It is also used in <i> The White Rose </i> (1991) by Lillian Garrett-Groag, a monologue during Sophie's interrogation.
Disputed
Context: The real damage is done by those millions who want to "survive." The honest men who just want to be left in peace. Those who don't want their little lives disturbed by anything bigger than themselves. Those with no sides and no causes. Those who won't take measure of their own strength, for fear of antagonizing their own weakness. Those who don't like to make waves — or enemies. Those for whom freedom, honor, truth, and principles are only literature. Those who live small, mate small, die small. It's the reductionist approach to life: if you keep it small, you'll keep it under control. If you don't make any noise, the bogeyman won't find you. But it's all an illusion, because they die too, those people who roll up their spirits into tiny little balls so as to be safe. Safe?! From what? Life is always on the edge of death; narrow streets lead to the same place as wide avenues, and a little candle burns itself out just like a flaming torch does. I choose my own way to burn.

“Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.”

“Last week the candle factory burned down. Everyone just stood around and sang, 'Happy Birthday.”

"Daddy’s Little Pumpkin" (Prine, Pat McLaughlin)
Song lyrics, The Missing Years (1991)