In Russian administration, minuteness does not exclude disorder. Much trouble is taken to attain unimportant ends, and those employed believe they can never do enough to show their zeal. The result is...that having passed through one formality does not secure… — Marquis de Custine Copy Share Image
I do not believe I am exaggerating in affirming that the empire of Russia is a country whose inhabitants are the most miserable on earth, because they suffer at one and the same time the evils of barbarism and of… — Marquis de Custine Copy Share Image
In Russia, whatever be the appearance of things, violence and arbitrary rule is at the bottom of them all. Tyranny rendered calm by the… — Marquis de Custine Copy Share Image
The love of their country is with them only a mode of flattering its master; as soon as they think that master can no… — Marquis De Custine Copy Share Image
Grace is always natural, though that does not prevent its being often used to hide a lie. The rude shocks and uncomfortably constraining influences… — Marquis de Custine Copy Share Image
What annoyances are more painful than those of which we cannot complain? — Marquis de Custine Copy Share Image
In Russian administration, minuteness does not exclude disorder. Much trouble is taken to attain unimportant ends, and those employed believe they can never do… — Marquis de Custine Copy Share Image
Grace is always natural, though that does not prevent its being often used to hide a lie. — Marquis de Custine Copy Share Image
The circumstances of human society are too complicated to be submitted to the rigor of mathematical calculation. — Marquis de Custine Copy Share Image
I do not believe I am exaggerating in affirming that the empire of Russia is a country whose inhabitants are the most miserable on… — Marquis de Custine Copy Share Image
Nations have always good reasons for being what they are, and the best of all is that they cannot be otherwise. — Marquis de Custine Copy Share Image
