You should know our mania for building is stronger than ever. It is a diabolical thing. It consumes money and the more you build, the more you want to build. It's a sickness like being addicted to alcohol.

I sincerely want peace, not because I lack resources for war, but because I hate bloodshed.

Your wits make others witty.

I may be kindly, I am ordinarily gentle, but in my line of business I am obliged to will terribly what I will at all.

I do not love strife, because I have always found that in the end each remains of the same opinion.

Happiness and unhappiness are in the heart and spirit of each one of us: If you feel unhappy, then place yourself above that and act so that your happiness does not get to be dependent on anything.

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