I am married and happy. My only wish is that nothing will change.

I have outlasted all desire, My dreams and I have grown apart; My grief alone is left entire, The gleamings of an empty heart. The storms of ruthless dispensation Have struck my flowery garland numb, I live in lonely desolation And wonder when my end will come. Thus on a naked tree-limb, blasted By tardy winter's whistling chill, A single leaf which has outlasted Its season will be trembling still.

I was not born to amuse the Tsars.

I do not like Moscow life. You live here not as you want to live, but as old women want you to.

Cabbage soup and barley. They're Russia's national food. Both excellent in their way, but a shade monotonous.

As long as there is one heart on Earth where I still live, my memory will not die.

Don't be sad, don't be angry, if life deceives you! Submit to your grief - your time for joy will come, believe me.