Nobody wants to intervene in Russian affairs. Russia is a very large country, a very old country, a very disagreeable country inhabited by immense numbers of ignorant people largely possessed of lethal weapons and in a state of extreme disorder. Also Russia is a long way off.

History unfolds itself by strange and unpredictable paths. We have little control over the future; and none at all over the past.

No idea is so outlandish that it should not be considered with a searching but at the same time a steady eye.

These are not dark days: these are great days - the greatest days our country has ever lived.

There are two kinds of success-initial and ultimate.

A love of tradition has never weakened a nation.

Some civil servants are neither servants nor civil.