Russian talk of political evil is as natural as eating.

The government, the state, they're just objects of jokes rather than serious consideration. I can't possibly take them seriously.

Who included me among the ranks of the human race?

I didn't want to be either the cre`me de la cre`me or a martyr. I'd rather be a novelty, especially in a democracy that doesn't understand the language I write in.

Geography blended with time equals destiny.

As long as the state permits itself to interfere in the affairs of literature, literature has the right to interfere with the affairs of state.

Were we to choose our leaders on the basis of their reading experience and not their political programs, there would be much less grief on earth. I believe ... that for someone who has read a lot of Dickens to shoot his like in the name of an idea is harder than for someone who has read no Dickens.