“Milena among the saviors! Milena who is constantly discovering in herself that the only way to save another person is by being there and nothing else. Moreover, she has already saved me once with her presence and now, after the fact, is trying to do so with other, infinitely smaller means. Naturally, saving someone from drowning is a great deed, but what good is it if the savior then sends the saved a gift-certificate for a swimming course?” (31 July 1920) Letters To Milena

Bazarov, who had a special capacity for winning the confidence of lower-class people, though he never cringed to them and indeed treated them casually; Fathers and Sons

Half of what I say is meaningless, but I say it so that the other half may reach you. Sand and Foam

"Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes." The Analects of Confucius