Astolphe de Custine

“In Russia, whatever is not forbidden is obligatory.”

“The despotism of Russia is the discipline of the camp substituted for the order of the city.”

“I do not blame the Russians for being what they are, I blame them for pretending to be what we are.”

“In Russia, history forms a part of the state domain; it is the moral property of the crown.”

“Tyranny is not only a fact, it is a system.”

“The air of this country is not conducive to truth.”

“The Emperor of Russia is a military chief, and each of his days is a day of battle.”

“Russia is a nation of mutes.”

“So much falsehood, so much cunning, creates a political reality as impenetrable as the physical nature of the country.”

“The Russian government is an absolute monarchy tempered by assassination.”

“The political system of Russia could not survive for twenty years in free communication with Western Europe.”

“Hypocrisy is a vice that has become a national institution in Russia.”

“Siberia begins at the Kremlin gates.”

“In the heart of the Russian people is a sublime power of renunciation.”