The Masterful Words of Nam Cao: 15+ Immortal Quotes from His Classic Works

The works of Nam Cao are not just a reflection of reality but also a contemplation of life's complexities. His immortal words, woven into the very fabric of Vietnamese literature, offer profound insights that continue to resonate and provoke thought. This article delves into the heart of Nam Cao's legacy, exploring 15 of his most enduring and thought-provoking quotes.

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Nam Cao, one of the most renowned authors in Vietnamese literature, is celebrated for his exceptional realist works that vividly depict the harsh lives of Vietnamese peasants before the August Revolution. Through his sharp and humane pen, Nam Cao has left an immortal treasure of profound and powerful sentences that continue to touch the hearts of readers. This article compiles over 15 of Nam Cao’s most memorable quotes from his classic works.

1 A Brief Overview of Nam Cao

Nam Cao (1915 – 1951) was a prominent writer in modern Vietnamese literature. He is renowned for his outstanding realist works that depict the harsh lives of Vietnamese peasants before the August Revolution.

With his sharp and humane pen, Nam Cao has bequeathed to the world a treasure trove of profound and powerful sentences that touch the hearts of readers, imbued with deep humanistic values and a vibrant vitality.

Nam Cao is hailed as a “master of Vietnamese short stories” and a “writer of human destinies.” His works have significantly contributed to the development of modern Vietnamese literature and will forever remain a valuable source of knowledge for future generations to study and emulate.

A Brief Overview of Nam Cao

2 15+ Memorable Quotes by Nam Cao from His Classic Works

1, “…Oh my! Towards those around us, if we don’t make an effort to understand them, we will only see them as eccentric, foolish, mean, ugly, and despicable… all reasons for us to be cruel; we will never see them as pitiful; we will never have compassion…”

(Excerpt from “Old Man Hạc”)

2, “….Carelessness in any profession is a form of dishonesty. But carelessness in literature is truly despicable. Oh my! What has he written? Nothing but insipid and bland words, evoking very mild and shallow feelings, expressing very common thoughts diluted in a flat and overly facile style. He hasn’t brought anything new to literature. This means he is useless, redundant. Literature doesn’t need skillful craftsmen who follow given patterns. Literature only welcomes those who dare to dig deeper, explore, and uncover uncharted sources, creating something that has never existed before…”

(Excerpt from “Superfluous Life”)

3, “…before thinking of kissing the rosy lips of your beloved, consider filling her mouth with food first.”

(Excerpt from “A Story from Xuvơnia” – Xuvơnia = Memoir)

4, “The strong are not those who trample on others to satisfy their selfish desires. The truly strong are those who help others with their own shoulders.”

(Excerpt from “Superfluous Life”)

5, “No! Who will grant me righteousness? How can I erase the scars on my face? I can’t be righteous anymore. Do you understand?”

(Excerpt from “Chí Phèo”)

6, “Art need not be deceptive moonlight, and art should not be deceptive moonlight. Art can simply be the cry of pain that escapes from the wretched lives.”

“The strong are not those who trample on others to satisfy their selfish desires. The truly strong are those who help others with their own shoulders.”

(Excerpt from “The Shining Light”).

7, ” A truly valuable work of art must transcend all boundaries and limitations. It should be a universal creation for all humanity. It must encompass something grand and powerful, both painful and exhilarating. It celebrates compassion, brotherhood, and justice… It brings people closer together.”

(“Superfluous Life”)

8, ”Carelessness in any profession is a form of dishonesty. But carelessness in literature is truly despicable.”

(“Superfluous Life”).

9. “People are only ugly and corrupt in the dry eyes of the selfish. And tears are the lens that transforms the universe…”

(Francois Coppée – quoted by Nam Cao in “The Eyes”).

10. “A person with a sore foot can’t forget about it and think of something else, can they? When people are in too much pain, they can’t think of anyone else. Their good nature is obscured by worries, sorrows, and selfishness…”

(Excerpt from “Old Man Hạc” by Nam Cao).

11. “I will never bother to mention the self – the self is detestable. I know many of my esteemed colleagues don’t think so. They talk about themselves throughout their lives. They analyze their souls. And they don’t do it in vain. But they are different, and I am different…”

(Excerpt from “The Stories I Don’t Want to Write” by Nam Cao).

12. “In the writing profession, the worst thing you can do is to see someone eating potatoes and then go dig for them yourself.”

(Excerpt from “The Stories I Don’t Want to Write” by Nam Cao).

13. “The truth out there is too vast and powerful, overshadowing the imaginary life that takes shape on paper…”

(Excerpt from “Worn Out” by Nam Cao).

“The truth out there is too vast and powerful, overshadowing the imaginary life that takes shape on paper…”

14. “On those riverbanks, countless people live like him, but they never rebel against their fate. Their lives are a form of imprisonment. Yet, like an ox, they continue to plow, eat grass, and endure the whip. Beyond the muddy fields lies the green forest, a life of freedom, with grass as high as their horns. The ox may know this, but it never dares to go, never daring to break free from the rope. What keeps the ox in the plains and prevents people from reaching a broader and more beautiful life? It’s the habit, the fear of change, the fear of the unknown. Yet, in this world, nothing ever happens twice. To live is to change…”

(Excerpt from “Worn Out” by Nam Cao).

15. “Life cannot remain so obscure forever. The future must be brighter. A dawn has already broken. A new sun will rise above your grave and above the heads of your orphaned children. A friend’s hand will take theirs and guide them towards a more beautiful life…”

(Excerpt from “Eulogy” by Nam Cao).

16. “Live first, then write…”

(Excerpt from “Journey to the South” by Nam Cao).

17. “Throw away your pen and pick up a gun…”

(Excerpt from “Journey to the South” by Nam Cao).

“Live first, then write…”

These are over 15 immortal quotes by Nam Cao from his classic works. Each sentence is a precious gem, distilled from Nam Cao’s soul and intellect, offering valuable lessons about life and humanity.

Frequently asked questions

Nam Cao was the pen name of Tran Huu Tri, a renowned Vietnamese writer and author. He is considered one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century in Vietnam. Nam Cao’s works are known for their realistic portrayal of rural life, social issues, and the human condition during the country’s turbulent history.

Nam Cao’s most famous works include short story collections such as ‘Chieu Ky Uc’ (Afternoon Memories) and ‘Nhung Trang Tuyet Tron’ (Unfinished Pages), and novels like ‘Chi Em Haus’ (The Haus Sisters) and ‘Cung Doi Nguoi’ (Sharing the Human Fate). His stories often feature complex characters and offer a critical perspective on social and political issues of his time.

Nam Cao’s writing style is renowned for its raw honesty, emotional depth, and vivid portrayal of human struggles. His works are characterized by a unique blend of realism and lyricism, with a strong focus on the inner lives of his characters. Nam Cao’s prose is often described as poetic and evocative, capturing the beauty and pain of everyday life in a way that resonates deeply with readers.

Nam Cao’s personal life greatly influenced his writing. He grew up in a rural setting and experienced poverty and social injustice firsthand. These experiences shaped his empathy for the underprivileged and his commitment to portraying the lives of ordinary people. Nam Cao’s works also reflect his own internal struggles and search for purpose during a time of political upheaval in Vietnam.

Recurring themes in Nam Cao’s literature include social inequality, the plight of the rural poor, the complexity of human relationships, and the impact of political turmoil on individual lives. He often explores the tension between idealism and reality, and his characters grapple with moral dilemmas and the search for personal integrity in a challenging social landscape.

Nam Cao’s legacy endures through his powerful and timeless writings, which continue to be studied and cherished in Vietnam and beyond. Modern Vietnamese literature owes a great deal to Nam Cao’s influence, as his works inspired subsequent generations of writers to explore social realism and to create authentic, compelling stories that reflect the complexities of human existence.
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