242 Quotes by Yevgeny Zamyatin

The elections themselves have rather a symbolic meaning. They remind us that we are a united, powerful organism of millions of cells, that – to use the language of the “gospel” of the ancients – we are a united church. The history of the United State knows not a single case in which upon this solemn day even a solitary voice has dared to violate the magnificent unison. They.

Even among the ancients, the most mature among them knew that the source of right is might; that right is a function of power. And so, we have the scales: on one side, a grain, on the other a ton; on one side “I,” on the other “We,” the One State. Is it not clear, then, that to assume that the “I” can have some “rights” in relation to the State is exactly like assuming that a gram can balance the scale against the ton? Hence, the division: rights to the ton, duties to the gram.

You will place the benevolent yoke of reason on the necks of the unknown beings on other planets, who may still be living in that primitive state known as freedom.

And tomorrow – who knows what happens? Do you get it? I don’t know and no one knows – it’s all unknown! You understand, that this is the end to the Known? This is the new, the improbable, the unpredictable.

We must all go insane – as soon as possible go insane.

Don’t forget that we lawyers, we’re a higher breed of intellect, and so it’s our privilege to lie. It’s as clear as day. Animals can’t even imagine lying: if you were to find yourself among some wild islanders, they too would only speak the truth until they learned about European culture.

I’ve read and heard a lot of unbelievable stuff about those times when people lived in freedom – that is, in disorganized wildness.

What is it to you if I don’t want others to want for me, if I want to want myself – if I want the impossible...

I am imprudent, I am sick, I have a soul, I am a microbe. But isn’t blooming a sickness? Doesn’t it hurt when a bud splits open?