A horrible human toll the Russian Orthodox Church suffered throughout almost the entire 20th century. The Church is just rising from its knees. Our young post-Soviet state is just learning to respect the Church as an independent institution.

When I was young, the early death of my father cast a shadow over me - and I was afraid to die before all my literary plans came true. But between 30 and 40 years of age my attitude to death became quite calm and balanced. I feel it is a natural, but no means the final, milestone of one's existence.

Human beings yield in many situations, even important and spiritual and central ones, as long as it prolongs one's well-being.

A great writer is, so to speak, a secret government in his country

It takes a fool to rush off to war!

Cracks make caves collapse.

The meaning of earthly existence lies not, as we have grown used to thinking, in prospering, but in the development of the soul...