Why do smart people exist, if not to figure out convoluted problems?

Cowardice is the most terrible of vices.

Everything will turn out right, the world is built on that.

You should never ask anyone for anything. Never- and especially from those who are more powerful than yourself.

Yes, man is mortal, but that would be only half the trouble. The worst of it is that he's sometimes unexpectedly mortal—there's the trick!

The tongue may hide the truth but the eyes—never!

No one's fate is of any interest to you except your own.

But what can be done, the one who loves must share the fate of the one he loves.

I don't have any special talents, just an ordinary desire to live like a human being.

Annushka has already bought the sunflower oil, and has not only bought it, but has already spilled it.

You spoke your words as though you denied the very existence of the shadows or of evil. Think, now: where would your good be if there were no evil and what would the world look like without shadow?

What your precious life wants to be or do—it is only up to you.

Sometimes I dream so vividly, so expectantly, I wonder if I'm crazy...

be as good as our first honeymoon?’ Friday 7 October A

When you hunt predators, the best camouflage is weakness.

There is nothing wrong with retirement as long as one doesn't allow it to interfere with one's work.

There are always some people who are ready to embrace a doctrine, a notion, a dogma, and they miss the real teaching.

Love has to be…flowering like the stars, and measureless as a kiss.

A college president is like the lawn mower at a cemetary: he has a lot of people under him, but they don't pay much attention to him

Remember, channel your inner winner.

Some of the greatest love affairs I've known have involved one actor-unassisted.