I do not believe I am exaggerating in affirming that the empire of Russia is a country whose inhabitants are the most miserable on earth, because they suffer at one and the same time the evils of barbarism and of civilization. Marquis de Custine More Quotes by Marquis de Custine More Quotes From Marquis de Custine In Russia, whatever be the appearance of things, violence and arbitrary rule is at the bottom of them all. Tyranny rendered calm by the influence of terror is the only kind of happiness which this government is able to afford its people. Marquis de Custine russia government people Grace is always natural, though that does not prevent its being often used to hide a lie. The rude shocks and uncomfortably constraining influences of life disappear among graceful women and poetical men; they are the most deceptive beings in creation; distrust and doubt cannot stand before them; they create what they imagine; if they do not lie to others, they do to their own hearts; for illusion is their element, fiction their vocation, and pleasures in appearance their happiness. Beware of grace in woman, and poetry in man -- weapons the more dangerous because the least dreaded! Marquis de Custine heart men lying Nations have always good reasons for being what they are, and the best of all is that they cannot be otherwise. Marquis de Custine nations reason In Russian administration, minuteness does not exclude disorder. Much trouble is taken to attain unimportant ends, and those employed believe they can never do enough to show their zeal. The result is...that having passed through one formality does not secure the stranger from another. Marquis de Custine administration taken believe The circumstances of human society are too complicated to be submitted to the rigor of mathematical calculation. Marquis de Custine logic complicated math Grace is always natural, though that does not prevent its being often used to hide a lie. Marquis de Custine grace doe lying What annoyances are more painful than those of which we cannot complain? Marquis de Custine annoyance painful complaining
