Ivanov: Once I worked hard and thought a lot but I never got tired; now I do nothing and think of nothing, but I'm tired in body and spirit. My conscience aches day and night, I feel deeply guilty but I don't understand where I am actually at fault. And add to that my wife's illness, my lack of money, the constant bickering, gossip, unnecessary conversations, that stupid Borkin... My home has become loathsome to me and I find living there worse than torture.

The sea has neither meaning nor pity.

Then I feel so happy and at the same time so sad, it's unimaginable.

I was so drunk the whole time that I took bottles for girls and girls for bottles.

One usually dislikes a play while writing it, but afterward it grows on one. Let others judge and make decisions.

Let us learn to appreciate there will be times when the trees will be bare, and look forward to the time when we may pick the fruit.

Love, friendship and respect do not unite people as much as common hatred for something.