Nothing but religion is capable of changing pains into pleasures.

Esteem has more engaging charms than friendship, or even love. It captivates hearts better, and never makes ings.

Misers are very kind people: they amass wealth for those who wish their death.

I believe, indeed, that it is more laudable to suffer great misfortunes than to do great things.

Can princes born in palaces be sensible of the misery of those who dwell in cottages?

To believe with certainty, we must begin with doubting.

We are usually mistaken in esteeming men too much; rarely in esteeming them too little.

Gaiety is the soul's health; sadness is its poison.

How many persons fancy they have experience simply because they have grown old!

Genius speaks only to genius.

Conscience warns us as a friend before it punishes us as a judge.

The difference between politics and religion is that the first makes it legal to hate, and makes the love of the second illegal.

A song that wrenches the heart finds a knowing ear and a liking heart.

Jesus was either a Liar, a Lunatic, or Lord

It takes years of building that experience as a filmmaker, as well as physically. You have to have a high level understanding of martial arts.

A great way to learn about your country is to leave it.

My experience teaches me that truth can never be propagated by doing violence.

One of the things that I really value about Russian culture is that on the private level it allows for a huge amount of variety and individuality with regards to family structure.

But with writers, there's nothing wrong with melancholy. It's an important color in writing.

I'm the guy that stands out in all the crowds, so I don't get out there and dance, but I can dance.