Citations of Saltykov-Shchedrin, the 30 most striking aphorisms of the writer

Citations of Saltykov-Shchedrin are our heritage and history. His fairy tales we read in childhood, stories about people and their vices reveal a subtle knowledge of human nature.

The beginning of a creative career

30 salty quotations from Saltykov-Shchedrin from the life and stories of the writer can be divided into several categories. Mikhail Saltykov was born in the family of a hereditary nobleman and advisor to Evgraf Vasilyevich. At the age of 12 he began his literary career at the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum. There, except for such common misdeeds as negligence, rudeness and disobedience, he was often punished for "disapproving" verses. After the release of versification, he was no longer engaged.

Citations Saltykov-Shchedrin on the role of literature in Russian society are as follows:

1. "Writers are valued not for ugly images in their literature, but because of the spiritual contribution that society is making."
2. "It is the word given the greatest freedom. Only the pen does not know what ink to write to him, since the thought stuck to the author in the throat with a stake. The writer has one thirst - so confuse his idea, in a mysterious allegory dress, so that the simplicity was not noticeable, so that no one would understand in such a masquerade that said. "
3. "All the great authors and philosophers were therefore so great that they thought about the foundations."
4. "Art is withdrawn from the world of decay. It does not know death. "
5. "I will always fight with my pen against arbitrariness and lies."

Young Political Beliefs

Saltykov-Shchedrin's quotations about the statehood and instability of the political system in the young years of his work can be called the echo of the French February revolution. After the publication of the story "Confused Affair," Mikhail was sent to Vyatka Province for questionable replicas of the characters of the work in the direction of the government:

1. "Russia is a rich state, vast and abundant. And people live here stupid - they all starve to death in such a hearty place. "
2. "The Russian government will be accepted by the people favorably, while it keeps people astonished."
3. "Laws in our country are issued for double use. Some, that order was, and others, that officials work was ".
4. "Many do not see the difference between the concepts of" Fatherland "and" Their Excellency ".
5. "It's not terrible, if for a ruble of the Russian in Europe, fifty dollars will be given. That's what fear will be when you get it in your teeth. "

Theft

Quotes Saltykov-Shchedrin about the vices of the Russian people - this is a clear observation during his service clerical official in Vyatka. It was there that he came face to face with theft and drunkenness.

1. "If I suddenly wake up in 100 years, I still find out that in Russia they are now stealing and drinking."
2. "The railway all over the world serves to move. And we also have to steal. "
3. "Alas! Less than half an hour, and I already realized that it's time to drink vodka. "
4. "Success in theft will only be when a person has greed and agility. Especially greed, because there must be some sense of conquering fear of trial and hard labor. "
5. "The people wanted something: either the rights and the constitution, or the bread with caviar red, or someone else."

The flowering of creativity

In 1855, the writer was allowed to return home. The link was over, and he reluctantly left Vyatka province, where he was dying of boredom. But it was there that he began his "Provincial Sketches", which he published in the "Russian Herald" a year later. Quotes of Saltykov-Shchedrin about the amazing nature of the Russian people can be found not only in this work, but also in the later statements of the author:

1. "If in Russia a person allows himself to stop and be surprised at what is happening around him, then he will stand like this until the end of time."
2. "The laws of the state are strict, but are mitigated by the non-mandatory nature of their implementation."
3. "Ah! You can not see the middle! Or in a snout at once, or knobs to kiss. "
4. "Only in Russia there are places where all times are transitional."
5. "Enlighten carefully to prevent bloodshed."

Tales of Shchedrin

Returning home, the writer did not leave his convictions. But he expressed his ideas in the form of stories and stories for children, which allowed the tsar's censorship to pass. The following 5 statements are quotations from the tales of Saltykov-Shchedrin:

1. "Fools are easy. Run out into the street and jump. These should be protected, they even need governors "(" Fool ").
2. "The ram will close his eyes, and his face becomes serious. People pass by and say: "Do not be a ram, but a burgomaster!" ("The ram-not-smelling").
3. "Where is the truth?" - "The Lord is in heaven, he takes and does not let go" ("By way of the road").
4. "You can not walk without a passport. And then all can disperse, the work of abandon - do not fight off such vagrants then "(" Christmas Tale ").
5. "Of wolves that are found in temperate climates, the wolf is less magnanimous" ("The Poor Wolf").

Quotes of Saltykov-Shchedrin about patriotism

Despite the fact that the Russian writer saw all the shortcomings and vices of the people and officials, until the last day he fought for his country and loved it with all his heart. But even the utterances about patriotism sound to him sometimes with mounting grief:

1. "The meaning of patriotism is enormous. He needs to be educated in order to develop the idea of humanity in man. "
2. "There are" ruffians "who speak the state, but think - a free pie".
3. "Only those who think about the Fatherland on weekdays and holidays can be called a citizen."
4. "A person who is alien to the destiny of a country that is indifferent to the human is dangerous."
5. "They started talking about patriotism. Probably, they again became guilty. "

30 quotes of Saltykov-Shchedrin, which were given above, are not only observations. These are reflections on the nature of human shortcomings, the peculiarities of the Russian character, politics. In the author's works one can see anxiety and admiration of the Russian people. Until the end of his life, Mikhail Evgrafovich tried to understand how great and ridiculous things can exist in Russia.