Alexander Pushkin

Thank you, darling, for learning to play chess. It is an absolute necessity for any well organized family. (in a letter to his wife)

I loved you; even now I may confess, Some embers of my love their fire retain; But do not let it cause you more distress, I do not want to sadden you again. Hopeless and tongue tied, yet I loved you dearly With pangs the jealous and the timid know; So tenderly I loved you, so sincerely, I pray God grant another love you so.

I loved you: and, it may be, from my soul The former love has never gone away, But let it not recall to you my dole; I wish not sadden you in any way. I loved you silently, without hope, fully, In diffidence, in jealousy, in pain; I loved you so tenderly and truly, As let you else be loved by any man.

I have outlasted all desire, My dreams and I have grown apart; My grief alone is left entire, The gleamings of an empty heart. The storms of ruthless dispensation Have struck my flowery garland numb, I live in lonely desolation And wonder when my end will come. Thus on a naked tree-limb, blasted By tardy winter's whistling chill, A single leaf which has outlasted Its season will be trembling still.

My dreams, my dreams! What has become of their sweetness? What indeed has become of my youth?

I do not like Moscow life. You live here not as you want to live, but as old women want you to.

Thus people--so it seems to me-- Become good friends from sheer ennui.

It's a lucky man, a very lucky man, who is committed to what he believes, who has stifled intellectual detachment and can relax in the luxury of his emotions - like a tipsy traveller resting for the night at wayside inn.

Then came a moment of renaissance,_x000D_ _x000D_ I looked up - you again are there,_x000D_ _x000D_ A fleeting vision, the quintessence_x000D_ _x000D_ Of all that`s beautiful and rare.

Play interests me very much," said Hermann: "but I am not in the position to sacrifice the necessary in the hope of winning the superfluous.

My whole life has been pledged to this meeting with you.

I want to understand you, I study your obscure language.

A deception that elevates us is dearer than a host of low truths.