All the stories and descriptions of that time without exception peak only of the patriotism, self-sacrifice, despair, grief, and heroism of the Russi… - Leo Tolstoy

When a man sees a dying animal, horror comes over him: that which he himself is, his essence, is obviously being annihilated before his eyes — is ceasing to be. But when the dying one is a person, and a beloved person, then, besides a sense of horror at the annihilation of life, there is a feeling of severance and a spiritual wound which, like a physical wound, sometimes kills and sometimes heals, but always hurts and fears any external, irritating touch.

Friends we shall never be, you know that yourself. Whether we shall be the happiest or the wretchedest of people — that's in your hands.

This history of culture will explain to us the motives, the conditions of life, and the thought of the writer or reformer.