"Books have always a secret influence on the understanding."

“Only someone who is sincere recognizes what showing off is.”

“There are only two or three human stories, and they go on repeating themselves as fiercely as if they had never happened before.”

Source : O Pioneers! pt. 2, ch. 4 (1913)

“Listening to albums and records is not the best way to percept Verka Serduchka. Live shows are the place where you can feel that specific atmosphere, that is not going to be the same ever.”

“If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”

“The freedoms we have in Russia are just leftovers. Freedom of travel, which was completely nonexistent in the Soviet Union; artistic freedom - so far, that's doing fine too, virtually everything can be published. Although with some books that are too edgy politically, or are especially undesirable, the authors are already running into difficulties. Theaters that produce provocative plays, or clubs that host undesirable events often find themselves on the receiving end of fire safety inspections and fines.”

Source : Source: www.thedailybeast.com

“Nothing comes out more clearly in astronomical observations than the immense activity of the universe.”

Source : Maria Mitchell (1896). “Maria Mitchell: Life, Letters, and Journals”

“I'm not sure that it's possible to write a novel about people who don't transgress or stumble, people who don't surprise themselves with the things they do, people who can explain all their actions with perfect logical consistency. At least it's not possible for me to write that sort of novel.”

“Doing actual comedic material is just about the most joyful endeavor ever. That's the truth. The only time it's not funny is when business gets in the way.”

Source : "Brad Hall and Julia Louis-Dreyfus Picture Paris". Interview with Cynthia Ellis, www.huffingtonpost.com. April 27, 2012.