If Russians knew how to read, they would write me off.

The most sure, but at the same time the most difficult expedient to mend the morals of the people, is a perfect system of education.

A great wind is blowing, and that gives you either imagination or a headache.

I shall be an autocrat: that's my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that's his.

If I may venture to be frank I would say about myself that I was every inch a gentleman.

to tempt and be tempted are closely allied; and in spite of all the finest moral maxims buried in the mind, when emotion interferes, when feeling makes its appearance, one is already much further involved that one realizes, and I have still not learnt how to prevent its appearance.

What right can give anyone authority to inflict torture upon a citizen when it is still unknown whether he is innocent or guilty?