Nikolai Gogol

“They're thinking of turning the peasant into an educated man. Why, first of all they should make him a good and prosperous farmer and then he'll learn all that is necessary for him to know.”

“The experience of ages has shown that a man who works on the land is purer, nobler, higher, and more moral... Agriculture should be at the basis of everything. That's my idea.”

“Everywhere across whatever sorrows of which our life is woven, some radiant joy will gaily flash past.”

“Countless as the sands of the sea are human passions.”

“Let me warn you, if you start chasing after views, you'll be left without bread and without views.”