Boris Yeltsin

You have no right to criticise Russia over Chechnya.

You can build a throne of bayonets, but you can’t sit on it for long.

There were no strategic mistakes that could affect Russia’s history and it further development. No, there were no such mistakes. Tactical errors were made in some less significant options, problems and so on. But, on the whole, Russia embarked on a correct path and it changed.

International terrorism is throwing down a challenge, and not just to Russia.

We, Russia, are prepared to work with others. I am convinced that stability and security in Europe cannot be considered without taking Russia into account.

Let’s not talk about Communism. Communism was just an idea, just pie in the sky.

We want to reproduce all those instruments which were prepared and used in America once upon a time.

You must do the things you think you cannot do.

First we make our habits, then our habits make us.

It is said that power corrupts, but actually it’s more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power.

Spring is the time of plans and projects.

If you don’t make mistakes, you’re not working on hard enough problems. And that’s a big mistake.

I have my faults, but changing my tune is not one of them.

I grew up not understanding what was true and what was not true. It gave me a sense of unreality.

We may appear to be mean, but we’re really only frightened.

Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.

With all the wealth of the world at hand, there are human beings who hunger, whole nations who suffer cold. The judgment for this condition, for misusing Nature’s gifts, is the judgment upon man’s failure, man’s unsteadiness. Leadership is the thing.

Prophesy is a good line of business, but it is full of risks.

Smugglin’ that by me? That’s like tryin’ to smuggle sunrise past a rooster.

This is no dress rehearsal.

I think I always feel like if everything went to shit, I would just teach improv at a theatre.