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

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.

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

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.

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

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