God's world is a good place. The one thing not good in it is we. How little justice and humility there is in us. How little we understand true patriotism!

Watching a woman make Russian pancakes, you might think that she was calling on the spirits or extracting from the batter the philosopher's stone.

The critics suppose that it is easy to write a play. They aren't aware that writing a good play is difficult and writing a bad one is twice as hard.

It's immoral to steal, but you can take things.

I kept thinking how marvellous it would be if I could somehow tear my heart, which felt so heavy, out of my chest.

When asked, "Why do you always wear black?", he said, "I am mourning for my life.

I expect I shall be a student to the end of my days.