The quote from Vladimir Nabokov's "Pale Fire" suggests that similarities between people often mask their underlying differences. It implies that the way we perceive connections is influenced by our individual perspectives, leading to unique interpretations of what we see as similar or different in others.
This notion emphasizes the complexity of human relationships and interactions. Each person's viewpoint shapes their understanding of others, meaning that what one person sees as a likeness might be viewed by someone else as a distinction, highlighting the subjective nature of perception.