Jansy: Here is the VN quote I believe you were referring to: “In fact I believe that one day a reappraiser will come and declare
that, far from having been a frivolous firebird, I was a rigid moralist:
kicking sin, cuffing stupidity, ridiculing the vulgar and cruel—and
assigning sovereign power to tenderness, talent and pride.”
―
Vladimir Nabokov,
Strong Opinions
V.N once described himself as a moralist kicking or
scuffing sin ( I think that's how the sentence went - and I'm now
unable to quote it correctly or provide its proper context)