To do evil a human being must first of all believe that what he's doing is good... Ideology - that is what gives devildoing its long-sought justification and gives the evildoer the necessary steadfastness and determination. That is the social theory which helps to make his acts seem good instead of bad in his own and others' eyes, so that he won't hear reproaches and curses but will receive praise and honors.

One word of truth outweighs the whole world.

Only those who decline to scramble up the career ladder are interesting as human beings. Nothing is more boring than a man with a career.

I can say without affectation that I belong to the Russian convict world no less than I do to Russian literature. I got my education there, and it will last forever.

History is too slow for our life, for our hearts.

Why should I trust you? We haven't drunk from the same bowl of soup.

To taste the sea all one needs is one gulp.