130 Quotes About Russian-literature

I took a swing, remembering the lessons of Sharafutdinov, the heavyweight champ. I took a swing and fell on my back.I don't remember what happened. Either it was slippery or my centre of gravity was too high...In any case, I fell. I saw the sky, enormous, pale and mysterious. So far away from my problems and disappointments. So pure.

People are so like their first mother Eve: what they are given doesn't take their fancy. The serpent is forever enticing them to come to him, to the tree of mystery. They must have the forbidden fruit, or paradise will not be paradise for them.

There's a reason every book, even one that isn't very serious, is shaped like a suitcase

I love a friendly chat and a friendly glass of wine during the evening - the time they call, for some accountable reason, 'between dog and wolf'.

It's a lucky man who leaves early from life's banquet, before he's drained to the dregs his goblet - full of wine; yes, it's a lucky man who has not read life's novel to the end, but has been wise enough to part with it abruptly - like me with my Onegin.

.. and these days I've come to prefer the more steady Bordeaux. I am no longer up to champagne from Ay: it's like a mistress: sparkling, flighty, vivacious, wayward - and not to be trusted. But Bordeaux is like a friend who in time of trouble and misfortune stands by us always, anywhere, ready to give us help, or just to share our quiet leisure. So raise your glasses - to our friend Bordeaux!

Friendship is merely a glorified expression. In reality it is nothing but a reciprocal outpouring of slops.

Hundreds of versts of desolate, monotonous, sun-parched steppe cannot bring on the depression induced by one man who sits and talks, and gives no sign of ever going.

both touching and somehow repulsive.