Maria Rodziewiczówna > Quotes

“Kto ma z kim zegnac sie, to szczesliwy.”
― Maria Rodziewiczówna, Między ustami a brzegiem pucharu

“Należę do ludzi, którzy nawet w szaleństwie pozostają trzeźwi.”
― Maria Rodziewiczówna, Dewajtis

“Należę do ludzi wstydzących się żebrać i nawet w szaleństwie trzeźwych.”
― Maria Rodziewiczówna, Barbara Tryźnianka

“The post-horses were already being harnessed into the post-sleigh, but the priest still spoke about the Egypt of the Pharaohs and the willow trees by the rivers of Babylon where silent lyres hung up rusted away unplayed. He reminded them of the daughter of Jair and the son of the widow of Naim, and, finally, mounting into the sleigh, he raised up his hand and blessed them, praying still as the sleigh started, bore off, became small, and finally disappeared. And the crowd stood there, sending him off with their words, their gazes, and finally, their thoughts.”
― Maria Rodziewiczówna, An Expendable Soul: Life and Love In Siberian Exile 1870

“Once again, he looked for some object on the steppe— for some hope, but could perceive nothing. Then he sat down on the ground and abandoned himself to his fate.”
― Maria Rodziewiczówna, An Expendable Soul: Life and Love In Siberian Exile 1870

“His dark brown eyes had in them that same calm goodness and quiet, which were the essence of his being. And his soul seemed like a piece of refined gold, cleansed of its baser alloy in the fire of adversity and misfortune. He did not understand her sudden fancies and bitter outbursts, but he knew now how to treat her, the ice of diffidence being broken between them.”
― Maria Rodziewiczówna, An Expendable Soul: Life and Love In Siberian Exile 1870

“It’s a common thing in the world. A man who is poor, alone, and humiliated— he is an anima vilis for the amusement of his fellowmen. In Siberia, as well as in Europe, the same principle applies.” He whipped up his horse and added with a smile: “I am accustomed to it. Fate and mankind have tested me. My life was hard, and my sister, observing it , used to say, ‘Antony, you deserve happiness. Fate is your debtor, and one day she will pay you.’” Miss Marya made an impatient movement, and her eyes again became dark. “That is not true,” she said bitterly. “Man’s luck is for life. One is born to enjoy life, to succeed in love, in winning general favor, or to use others. Another is born to be hated, treated with indifference, or forgotten altogether. A man who is not born with good luck gets no pay for his suffering.”“That is not true,” he said with gentle dignity. “Honest work brings its own peace, and poverty borne patiently makes a man better-natured and more open. Perhaps he who has the least for himself has the most in himself. That also constitutes riches.”
― Maria Rodziewiczówna, An Expendable Soul: Life and Love In Siberian Exile 1870

“Twenty years ago! I spent seventeen years in Kurhan . There I have become accustomed to being… a Siberian. I know, also, that I shall die here. Therefore I am forbidden to think of my country.”“Then you never long to get away?” he asked, seeing no indiscretion in questioning her. “I never said anything about it to anyone,” she said thoughtfully, “but it seems to me that I have finally overcome that longing. But that has made me wicked. I think that a person who is forbidden to love his own country cannot love anything. Such a man or woman does not attain his full development—he does not blossom but becomes dried-up like stubble.”
― Maria Rodziewiczówna

“I didn’t know you were such a lazy man,” she said, giving him his medicine. “Not he who wishes will die, but he who does not wish it— and when he does not wish it.”
― Maria Rodziewiczówna, An Expendable Soul: Life and Love In Siberian Exile 1870

“but he gave us that which the poor need— education. That, and a certain hardening for the battle of life. The food was poor, the clothing rough, and the house was always cold. We became accustomed to all kinds of hardship and misery, which were shared with us by his own daughter, his only child, and heiress to a very large fortune. Burski was very wealthy indeed!”
― Maria Rodziewiczówna, An Expendable Soul: Life and Love In Siberian Exile 1870

“Now, mark my words. From now on, you will be successful in everything you do. If the burun has not killed you, then nothing can touch you. I am ready to go into partnership with you in any business you choose.”
― Maria Rodziewiczówna, An Expendable Soul: Life and Love In Siberian Exile 1870

“Now Miss Marya understood why her brother had loved this modest, slow man. It was for his simple soul; for his simple sentiments; for his faithfulness and gratitude.”
― Maria Rodziewiczówna

“Others have suffered the same— and lived,” she said. “If I were not ashamed of myself, and if it were not out of pity for my sister, I should have killed myself long ago. I suppose others must be stronger than me. Perhaps you needn’t have rescued me that night. I can’t stand it. I can’t. I shall go back.”
― Maria Rodziewiczówna, An Expendable Soul: Life and Love In Siberian Exile 1870

“The whole family received the stranger with rough , primitive cordiality. They feasted him on tea and vodka, cedar nuts, and cake. They asked him about his country, about his family, his fiancee, and his business. But they did not envy him for having seen the marvels of civilization. Andryanek even laughed at them. “A long summer is dangerous because all kinds of diseases come from the heat. The winter is healthy, and the cold kills off the weaker children so that those who survive are strong like I am,” and he stretched his gigantic body. “What a country!” added his brother with pride.”
― Maria Rodziewiczówna, An Expendable Soul: Life and Love In Siberian Exile 1870

“In the beginning, it is only an indescribable sadness and uneasiness. One cannot work or give attention to anything. Then comes internal rebellion and hatred of the people and anger toward even inanimate objects. Then the mad desire to run, or die, as the only means of salvation.”“It is as though you read my thoughts.”“It is the Siberian sickness, as my father says. Then comes the crisis: a listlessness, an indifference to the environment, and to the impressions of the senses. It seems that the soul leaves the body and seeks its own country, for to one’s ears seem to come sounds from far away, and to his nostrils faint scents, and before one’s eyes rise views which are not of this country. By then, one has become wicked but is yet harmless. But when the spirit returns, it brings with it the instinct to move, to survive and one forgets the past. One no loger mentions it, no longer thinks of it, but it is the end of youth, of joy, of sentiment, of his better self. He becomes just like the people born here. Have you not noticed that they never laugh heartily? They are never merry without vodka! This country stunts the human mind; the people are all feelingless machines.”“I do not wonder that Zdanowski became a drunkard and that Rudnicki wishes to marry a Siberian girl. Despair urges them on to excesses. I am afraid for myself.”
― Maria Rodziewiczówna, An Expendable Soul: Life and Love In Siberian Exile 1870