The person who wants nothing, hopes for nothing, and fears nothing can never be an artist. - Anton Chekhov

The bourgeoisie loves so-called “positive” types and novels with happy endings since they lull one into thinking that it is fine to simultaneously acquire capital and maintain one’s innocence, to be a beast and still be happy.

It’s even pleasant to be sick when you know that there are people who await your recovery as they might await a holiday.

In Western Europe people perish from the congestion and stifling closeness, but with us it is from the spaciousness.... The expanses are so great that the little man hasn’t the resources to orient himself.... This is what I think about Russian suicides.