A man used to riding in a car cannot understand a pedestrian.

I have always insisted on the need for local self-government for Russia, but I never opposed this model to Western democracy. On the contrary, I have tried to convince my fellow citizens by citing the examples of highly effective local self-government systems in Switzerland and New England, both of which I saw first-hand.

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

Which of us can control his feelings?

The sole substitute for an experience which we have not ourselves lived through is art and literature.

The price of cowardice will only be evil. We shall reap courage and victory only when we dare to make sacrifices.

... a man can safely sacrifice a great deal as long as he clings to the essential.