Saltykov-Shchedrin quotes are our heritage and history. We read his tales in childhood, stories about people and their vices reveal a subtle knowledge of human nature.
Beginning of a creative career
30 well-aimed quotes from Saltykov-Shchedrin from the life and stories of the writer can be divided into several categories. Mikhail Saltykov was born into the family of a hereditary nobleman and adviser to Evgraf Vasilievich. At age 12, he began his writing career at the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum. There, in addition to such ordinary misconduct as negligence, rudeness and disobedience, he was often punished for "disapproving" verses. After graduation, he was no longer engaged in versification.
Saltykov-Shchedrin quotes about the role of literature in Russian society are as follows:
- “Writers are not valued for the ugly characters in their literature, but for the spiritual contribution that leads society forward.”
- “It is the word that is given the greatest freedom. Only the pen does not know what ink to write to him, since the author was stuck in the throat with a thought. The writer has one thirst - to confuse his idea, to dress in mysterious allegories, so that simplicity is not noticeable, so that no one understands in such a masquerade what is said. ”
- “All the great authors and philosophers have therefore been reputed to be great because they thought about the basics.”
- “Art is removed from the world of corruption. It does not know death. "
- "I will always fight with my pen against arbitrariness and lies."
Young political beliefs
Saltykov-Shchedrin quotes about statehood and the instability of the political system in the young years of his work can be called an echo of the French February Revolution. After the publication of the story The Tangled Case, Mikhail is exiled to the Vyatka province for questionable remarks by the characters of the work towards the government:
- “Russia is a rich state, vast and plentiful. And people live stupid here - everyone is dying of hunger in such a satisfying place. ”
- "The Russian government will be accepted by the people favorably, while it keeps people in amazement."
- “Laws in our country are issued for dual use. Some, so that order was, and others, so that officials had work. ”
- "Many do not see the difference between the concepts of" Fatherland "and" Excellency "."
- “It’s not scary if they give a fifty-ruble Russian in Europe for a ruble. There will be fear when you get it in the mouth. ”
Theft
Saltykov-Shchedrin's quotes about the vices of the Russian people are well-aimed observations during his service as a clerical official in Vyatka. It was there that he came up against theft and drunkenness.
- "If I suddenly wake up after 100 years, I still find out that in Russia they are now stealing and drinking."
- “The railroad around the world is used for transportation. And we also have for theft. ”
- "Alas! Not even half an hour had passed, but I already realized that it was time to drink vodka. ”
- “Success in theft will only be when a person has greed and agility. Especially greed, because some feeling must overcome the fear of trial and hard labor. ”
- “The people wanted something: either rights and a constitution, or a bread with red caviar, or to tear someone off.”
The heyday of creativity
In 1855, the writer was allowed to return home. The link ended, and with relief he left the Vyatka province, where he was dying of boredom. But it was there that he began his Provincial Essays, which he published in the Russian Herald a year later. Saltykov-Shchedrin quotes about the amazing nature of the Russian people can be found not only in this work, but also in the author's later sayings:
- “If in Russia a person allows himself to stop and be surprised at what is happening around, then he will stand like that until the end of time.”
- "The laws of the state are strict, but are softened by the non-bindingness of their implementation."
- “Oh! You can’t see the middle! Or at the snout immediately, or kiss the handles. "
- "Only in Russia there are places where all times are transitional."
- “To introduce education carefully so that there is no bloodshed.”
Tales of Shchedrin
Returning home, the writer did not abandon his convictions. But he expressed his ideas in the form of past stories and stories for children, which allowed him to undergo royal censorship. The following 5 statements are quotes from Saltykov-Shchedrin 's tales :
- “There are fools of the lungs. They will run out into the street and jump. These must be protected, even the governors need them ”(“ The Fool ”).
- “The ram will close its eyes, and its face will be seriously made. People pass by and say: “Yes, this is not a ram, but a burgomaster!” ("Baran-non-remembering").
- "Where is the truth?" - "With the Lord in heaven. He took it and does not let it go" ("By the way").
- “You cannot go without a passport. Otherwise, everyone can disperse, abandon their work - not to fend off such tramps then ”(“ Christmas Tale ”).
- “Of the predators found in temperate climates, the wolf is less generous” (“Poor Wolf”).
Saltykov-Shchedrin quotes about patriotism
Despite the fact that the Russian writer saw all the flaws and vices of the people and officials, until the last day he stood up for his homeland and loved it with all his heart. But even statements about patriotism sometimes sound with growing sorrow in him:
- “The significance of patriotism is enormous. It needs to be educated in order to develop the idea of humanity in a man . ”
- "There are" tomboys "who say the state, but think - a free cake."
- "Only one who thinks about the Fatherland on weekdays and on holidays can be called a citizen."
- "A man is dangerous who is alien to the fate of the country, who is indifferent to the human."
- “Something was said about patriotism. Probably steal again. ”
The 30 citations of Saltykov-Shchedrin that were given above are not only observations. These are reflections on the nature of human shortcomings, the characteristics of the Russian character, and politics. In the works of the author you can see the anxiety and admiration of the Russian people. Until the end of his life, Mikhail Evgrafovich tried to understand how the great and the ridiculous can exist in Russia.