We stopped the war in Afghanistan. We abolished censorship. We abolished the special commissions that were checking on Russian citizens going abroad. I am very happy that in history my name will be connected to this period.

When truth is replaced by silence,the silence is a lie.

How can the confessor teach/ those who are lost and sick at heart,/ when he himself, among the sinners,/ is worst, and most forsaken?/ It is only a game we play/ with other people's sins./ Besides, everyone knows/ that everyone lies confessing.

In my blood there is no Jewish blood. In their callous rage, all anti-Semites must hate me now as a Jew. For that reason I am a true Russian.

Мне говорят, качая головой:
"Ты подобрел бы. Ты какой-то злой".

Я добрый был. Недолго это было.

They tell me, shaking their heads:
"You should be kinder. You are somehow furious".

I used to be kind. It didn’t last long.