Whatever a man prays for, he prays for a miracle. Every prayer reduces itself to this: “Great God, grant that twice two be not four.” – Ivan Turgenev
In the end, nature is inexorable: it has no reason to hurry and, sooner or later, it takes what belongs to it. Unconsciously and inflexibly obedient to its own laws, it doesnt know art, just as it doesnt know freedom, just as it doesnt know goodness. – Ivan Turgenev
Deaths an old joke, but each individual encounters it anew. – Ivan Turgenev
In days of doubt, in days of dreary musings on my countrys fate, you alone are my comfort and support, oh great, powerful, righteous, and free Russian language! – Ivan Turgenev
Whether he likes it or not, a man’s character is stripped at the poker table; if the other players read him better than he does, he has only himself to blame. Unless he is both able and prepared to see himself as others do, flaws and all, he will be a loser in cards, as in life. – Anthony Holden