In the Russian experience, although the Russian state is oppressive, it is their state, it is part of their fabric, and so the relation between Russian citizens and their state is complicated.

I remember that during the period leading up to independence in Angola in 1975, I was the only correspondent there at all for three months.

The official independence celebration was going to be held over four or five days, and a group of journalists from all over the world was allowed to fly in, because Angola was closed otherwise.

Money changes all the iron rules into rubber bands.

My writing is a combination of three elements. The first is travel: not travel like a tourist, but travel as exploration. The second is reading literature on the subject. The third is reflection.

The tradition of Russian literature is also an eastern tradition of learning poetry and prose by heart.

Our salvation is in striving to achieve what we know we'll never achieve.

More than anything, one is struck by the light. Light everywhere. Brightness everywhere. Everywhere, the sun.

Photographing expresses human desire to preserve passing time. It is like a man struggling with time that elapses, and in general - a desire to preserve oneself.

In order to feel contempt, you generally need to cherish some kind of feelings.

Our job is like a baker's work - his rolls are tasty as long as they're fresh; after two days they're stale; after a week, they're covered with mould and fit only to be thrown out.

Money is not my definition of success

We can become fearless as we let go off our grasp on the fear of failure, because failure too is a perception rather than a reality.

Why dwell on negative thoughts? When you can think positively.

Nothing sparkly can stay.

True creativity often starts where language ends.

My life was sweeter than other people's and my death will be more terrible by the same degree.

Madame de Stael talks herself into a beauty.

We are limited only by our thoughts

When you give, expect nothing from people and everything from Allah.

What distinguishes success from failures is that the successes constantly thirst for new ideas and knowledge.