Vladimir Putin inherited a ransacked and bewildered country, with a poor and demoralized people. And he started to do what was possible - a slow and gradual restoration. These efforts were not noticed, nor appreciated, immediately. In any case, one is hard pressed to find examples in history when steps by one country to restore its strength were met favorably by other governments.

Violence can only be concealed by a lie, and the lie can only be maintained by violence.

It is not because the truth is too difficult to see that we make mistakes... we make mistakes because the easiest and most comfortable course for us is to seek insight where it accords with our emotions - especially selfish ones.

Even if we are spared destruction by war, our lives will have to change if we want to save life from self-destruction.

A drop in the ocean has no fear of a hurricane.

He who knows how to be content will be content with little.

A poet cannot be a Party member ... without paying the price.