Nabokov on distinguishing sentimentality from true emotion

We must distinguish between ‘sentimental’ and ‘sensitive’. A sentimentalist may be a perfect brute in his free time. A sensitive person is never a cruel person. Sentimental Rousseau, who could weep over a progressive idea, distributed his many natural children through various poorhouses and workhouses and never gave a hoot for them. A sentimental old maid may pamper her parrot and poison her niece. The sentimental politician may remember Mother’s Day and ruthlessly destroy a rival. Stalin loved babies. Lenin sobbed at the opera, especially at the Traviata.

- Vladimir Nabokov, Lectures on Russian Literature

Chief Inspector Japp and the amazing Finnish wool sweater Wax didn't quite finish by Christmas

waxjism posted: Knittings

I started knitting again last year after leaving several projects on the back burner [...]