"There are several reasons why Russians view the oppressive state positively. First, in the Russian Orthodox religion, there is an understanding of authority as something sent by God."

"Readership was high, and very attentive. It was people's only source of knowledge about the world."

"This is the most intimate relationship between literature and its readers: they treat the text as a part of themselves, as a possession."

"He killed his enemies because he was afraid they would kill him. Amin ordered entire tribes to be put to death, because he feared they would rebel."

"When the painting is hanging on your wall for a long time, you don't notice it. You get tired of it, even if it's a Picasso. When the next generation inherits the painting, they sell it. I don't want to be sold."

"I buy records - vinyl. I have a record player at home."

"I tend to make low-budget movies but, yeah, I make more money than I ever thought I would make."

"Want of money and the distress of a thief can never be alleged as the cause of his thieving, for many honest people endure greater hardships with fortitude. We must therefore seek the cause elsewhere than in want of money, for that is the miser's passion, not the thief s."