[On Russia:] In every way, there is something gigantic about this people: ordinary dimensions have no applications whatever to it. I do not mean by this that true greatness and stability are never met with; but their boldness, their imaginativeness knows no bounds. With them everything is colossal rather than well-proportioned, audacious rather than well-considered, and if they do not attain their goals, it is because they exceed them.

Morality must guide calculation, and calculation must guide politics.

New doctrines ever displease the old. They like to fancy that the world has been losing wisdom, instead of gaining it, since they were young.

Have you not observed that faith is generally strongest in those whose character may be called the weakest?

Love which is only an episode in the life of men, is the entire history of the life of women.

Genius is essentially creative; it bears the stamp of the individual who possesses it.

One must, so long as there is any life left, back up the character of one's life.