In view of the meaning given to this honor in the community to which I belong, I should abstain from the undeserved prize that has been awarded to me. Do not meet my voluntary refusal with ill will.
Source: Telegram reversing his acceptance of Nobel Prize after criticism by Soviets; in NY Times, 30 Oct 58
-- Boris Pasternak, (Feb 10 1890-1960), Russian novelist, poet; His novel Doctor Zhivago helped win him the Nobel Prize for Literature, 1958 but aroused so much opposition at home that he declined the honor.