It’s nonsense to pretend that life won’t let one, that the past won’t let one.
 Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina (1877). copy citation

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Author Leo Tolstoy
Source Anna Karenina
Topic past nonsense
Date 1877
Language English
Reference
Note Translated by Constance Garnett
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1399/1399-h/1399-h.htm

Context

“‘Everything that interests him, interests me.’ But who will she be?” And he remembered what had happened at Moscow.... “Well, there’s nothing to be done.... It’s not my fault. But now everything shall go on in a new way. It’s nonsense to pretend that life won’t let one, that the past won’t let one. One must struggle to live better, much better.”... He raised his head, and fell to dreaming. Old Laska, who had not yet fully digested her delight at his return, and had run out into the yard to bark, came back wagging her tail, and crept up to him, bringing in the scent of fresh air, put her head under his hand, and whined plaintively, asking to be stroked.” source