Unaware of the absurdity of it, we introduce our own petty household rules into the economy of the universe for which the life of generations, peoples, of entire planets, has no importance in relation to the general development. – Alexander Herzen
No one is to blame. It is neither their fault nor ours. It is the misfortune of being born when a whole world is dying. – Alexander Herzen
Slavery is the first step towards civilization. In order to develop it is necessary that things should be much better for some and much worse for others, then those who are better off can develop at the expense of others. – Alexander Herzen
There is nothing in the world more stubborn than a corpse: you can hit it, you can knock it to pieces, but you cannot convince it. – Alexander Herzen
The world can doubtless never be well known by theory: practice is absolutely necessary; but surely it is of great use to a young man, before he sets out for that country, full of mazes, windings, and turnings, to have at least a general map of it, made by some experienced traveler. – Lord Chesterfield