What annoyances are more painful than those of which we cannot complain?

- Marquis De Custine

Nations have always good reasons for being what they are, and the best of all is that they cannot be otherwise.

- Marquis De Custine

The circumstances of human society are too complicated to be submitted to the rigor of mathematical calculation.

- Marquis De Custine

Grace is always natural, though that does not prevent its being often used to hide a lie. The rude shocks and uncomfortably constraining influences o…

- Marquis De Custine

In Russian administration, minuteness does not exclude disorder. Much trouble is taken to attain unimportant ends, and those employed believe they ca…

- Marquis De Custine

Grace is always natural, though that does not prevent its being often used to hide a lie.

- 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 …

- Marquis De Custine

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 the…

- Marquis De Custine