Alaina’s Reviews > By Paul Johnson Intellectuals > Status Update

“It is a fact of sombre significance in Russian history, that for half a century her greatest writer set his face like flint against any systematic reform of the Tsarist system and did his best to impede and ridicule those who tried to civilize it.”

“He put ideas before people and his life is a testament to how heartless ideas can be.”

“You need me for I am rich and you are poor. Let us make an agreement:
I will allow you to have the honour of serving me, provided you give me whatever you have left for the trouble I shall take to command you.'”

“Most people are resistant to ideas, especially new ones. But they are fascinated by character. Extravagance of personality is one way in which the pill can be sugared and the public induced to look at works dealing with ideas.”