“In days of doubt, in days of dreary musings on my country's fate, you alone are my comfort and support, oh great, powerful, righteous, and free Russian language!”
“Death's an old joke, but each individual encounters it anew.”
“Nature creates while destroying, and doesn't care whether it creates or destroys as long as life isn't extinguished, as long as death doesn't lose its rights.”
“In the end, nature is inexorable: it has no reason to hurry and, sooner or later, it takes what belongs to it. Unconsciously and inflexibly obedient to its own laws, it doesn't know art, just as it doesn't know freedom, just as it doesn't know goodness.”
“Who among us has the strength to oppose petty egoism, those petty good feelings, pity and remorse?”
“To desire and expect nothing for oneself and to have profound sympathy for others is genuine holiness.”