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

Thank you, darling, for learning to play chess. It is an absolute necessity for any well organized family. (in a letter to his wife)

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

Moral maxims are surprisingly useful on occasions when we can invent little else to justify our actions.

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

I loved you; even now I may confess, Some embers of my love their fire retain; But do not let it cause you more distress, I do not want to sadden you again. Hopeless and tongue tied, yet I loved you dearly With pangs the jealous and the timid know; So tenderly I loved you, so sincerely, I pray God grant another love you so.

I’ve lived to bury my desires, And see my dreams corrode with rust; Now all that’s left are fruitless fires That burn my empty heart to dust.