"As far as modern writing is concerned, it is rarely rewarding to translate it, although it might be easy. Translation is very much like copying paintings"
- Boris Pasternak
About this Quote
This quote by Boris Pasternak speaks with the trouble of equating modern writing. He suggests that while it might be easy to equate contemporary writing, it is rarely rewarding. Pasternak likens translation to copying paintings, implying that the act of translation is not as innovative or significant as the original work. He suggests that the act of translation is not as important as the initial work, which it is not as rewarding to translate contemporary writing as it is to create it. This quote speaks to the problem of translating contemporary writing, and the lack of reward that includes it. Pasternak recommends that while it might be easy to equate modern writing, it is not as satisfying as developing it. He suggests that the act of translation is not as valuable as the initial work, and that it is not as rewarding to translate modern-day writing as it is to develop it.
"Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own; and from morning to night, as from the cradle to the grave, it is but a succession of changes so gentle and easy that we can scarcely mark their progress"
