There is no reason why I should call myself a democrat.

You must go deeper into Russia - 150 kilometres from Moscow or more, and look there. The kids are fed with cattle feed - people don't get paid for half a year.

Think before you speak, and don't say everything you think.

I have equal contempt for both left and right radicals.

First of all I would make about 80% of the people law-abiding citizens again. The policy which is carried out now makes every entrepreneur and businessman a thief against his own will.

Most Russians don't care whether they are ruled by fascists or communists or even Martians as long as they can buy six kinds of sausage in the store and lots of cheap vodka.

I am a Soviet man, and Yeltsin is a Soviet man - maybe our grandchildren will be different.

I mean that at least 80% of the Russian people feel destitute. It's the people who had their past and future taken from them - they don't get paid - many of them face a wall. They have nowhere to go.

He who shoots first laughs last.

Russia is like a dinosaur. A lot of time is needed for change to reach the tail from the head.

Each of us literally chooses, by his way of attending to things, what sort of universe he shall appear to himself to inhabit.

To create something new, knowledge is essentially required, but not academic degree.

If we had failed to pursue the facts as far as they led, we would have denied the public any knowledge of an unprecedented scheme of political surveillance and sabotage.

For those without money, the road to that treasure house of the imagination begins at the public library.

The emperor would prefer the poet to keep away from politics, the emperor's domain, so that he can manage things the way he likes.

Every writer is a narcissist. This does not mean that he is vain; it only means that he is hopelessly self-absorbed.

First and foremost, I just want to write comedy.

It is not proven, it's not science. It's more of a religion than a science.

If complete and utter chaos was lightning, then he'd be the sort to stand on a hilltop in a thunderstorm wearing wet copper armour and shouting 'All gods are bastards!

All that you've loved is all you own