In Russian administration, minuteness does not exclude disorder. Much trouble is taken to attain unimportant ends, and those employed believe they can never do enough to show their zeal. The result is...that having passed through one formality does not secure the stranger from another.

What annoyances are more painful than those of which we cannot complain?

In Russia, whatever be the appearance of things, violence and arbitrary rule is at the bottom of them all. Tyranny rendered calm by the influence of terror is the only kind of happiness which this government is able to afford its people.

The circumstances of human society are too complicated to be submitted to the rigor of mathematical calculation.

Nations have always good reasons for being what they are, and the best of all is that they cannot be otherwise.

I do not believe I am exaggerating in affirming that the empire of Russia is a country whose inhabitants are the most miserable on earth, because they suffer at one and the same time the evils of barbarism and of civilization.

Grace is always natural, though that does not prevent its being often used to hide a lie.