How quickly a zek (a prisoner) gets cheeky-or, putting it in literary language, how quickly a man's requirements grow.

When I returned to Russia in 1994, the Western world and its states were practically being worshipped. Admittedly, this was caused not so much by real knowledge or a conscious choice, but by the natural disgust with the Bolshevik regime and its anti-Western propaganda.

Only an extraordinary person can turn opportunity into reality.

I leaf through the ancient philosophers and find my newest discoveries there.

If one is forever cautious, can one remain a human being?

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.

Truth must be told-and things must change! If words are not about real things and do not cause things to happen, what is the good of them?