Boris Yeltsin

Europe has found itself confronted with fresh challenges – challenges of a global character, the nature of which is directly connected with changes in the international climate and the difficulties of seeking new models for co-operation.

It is especially important to encourage unorthodox thinking when the situation is critical: At such moments every new word and fresh thought is more precious than gold. Indeed, people must not be deprived of the right to think their own thoughts.

I would like to stress here that a lasting peace in the Chechen republic and so-called peace talks with the bandits are not the same thing, and I would ask everyone to make no mistake about that.

We all have an equal interest in stability and security throughout Europe. The years the OSCE has existed, and particularly this year, have given rise to great expectations and at the same time to powerful disappointments.

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.

Individualism is what makes cooperation worth living.

Of all the follies the elder generation falls victim to this is the most foolish, namely, the constant criticism of the younger element who will not be and cannot be like ourselves because we and they are different tribes produced of different elements in the great spirit of Time.

It’s terribly unfair that we should have to suffer like this.

The skill of writing is to create a context in which other people can think.

We have finished the job, what shall we do with the tools?

The things you own end up owning you.

I smoke in moderation, only one cigar at a time.

I’m the one that has to die when it’s time for me to die, so let me live my life, the way I want to.

In the 80s, when I was a little girl, this whole Midtown area was a different world. These are the streets that I walked, and learned my lessons on, and heard the music, and witnessed disenfranchised people, and people who just had dreams and hopes. Every pimp, every prostitute, every drug dealer, every Broadway dreamer wishing they could be a writer, or a musician, or an actor.

Talent does what it can; genius does what it must.

The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.

Eighty percent of all questions are statements in disguise.

Somebody once said we never know what is enough until we know what’s more than enough.

Does anyone ask their parents how they are conceived?

Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.