What a dreary world we live in, gentlemen.

In the course of reading he became more and more melancholy and finally became completely gloomy. When the reading was over he uttered in a voice full of sorrow: "Goodness, how sad is our Russia!"

I shall laugh my bitter laugh.

It is no use to blame the looking glass if your face is awry.

Of course, Alexander the Great was a hero, but why smash the chairs?

The more destruction there is everywhere, the more it shows the activity of town authorities.

I tell everyone very plainly that I take bribes, but what kind of bribes? Why, greyhound puppies. That's a totally different matter.

The sergeant's widow told you a lie when she said I flogged her. I never flogged her. She flogged herself.

What are you laughing at? You are laughing at yourselves!

As it is so strangely ordained in this world, what is amusing will turn into being gloomy, if you stand too long before it, and then God knows what ideas may not stray into the mind... Why is it that even in moments of unthinking, careless gaiety a different and strange mood comes upon one?