There is something predetermined in the mutual attraction between Germany and Russia. Otherwise, this attraction would not have survived two ghastly World Wars.

Scientific research? Only when not at the cost of ethics-and first of all, those of the researchers themselves.

Thus, literature, together with language, preserves and protects a nation's soul.

One should not ascribe the evil deeds of individual leaders or political regimes to an innate fault of the Russian people and their country.

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.

The secret is that when you've been pitched head first into hell you just write about it

Each person has his special moment of life when he unfolded himself to the fullest, felt to the deepest, and expressed himself to the utmost, to himself and to others.