In Vladimir Nabokov's novel "Lolita," the narrator expresses a desire to momentarily indulge in sentimentality rather than maintain his usual cynical outlook. This reflects a deeper yearning for emotional connection and authenticity, highlighting the struggle between embracing vulnerability and protective cynicism.

The quote encapsulates a struggle many experience between being open to heartfelt emotions and the defensive tendency to adopt a cynical worldview. It reveals the narrator's weariness with disillusionment, indicating that even in a world filled with harsh realities, there is a longing for a more tender, human experience.