I look up to heaven only when I want to sneeze.

Take what you can yourself, and don't let others get you into their hands; to belong to oneself, that is the whole thing in life.

In days of doubt, in days of dreary musings on my country's fate, you alone are my comfort and support, oh great, powerful, righteous, and free Russian language!

We’re young, we’re not monsters, no fools: we’ll conquer happiness for ourselves.

Nothing is worse and more hurtful than a happiness that comes too late.

A son is like a lopped off branch. As a falcon he comes when he wills and goes where he lists.

What did I hope for, what did I expect, what rich future did I foresee, when the phantom of my first love, rising up for an instant, barely called forth one sigh, one mournful sentiment?