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Boris Yeltsin Quotes
1931–2007 Russia
Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin [Бори́с Никола́евич Е́льцин] (1 February 1931 – 23 April 2007) was a Russian and former Soviet politician who served as the first President of Russia from 1991 to 1999. A member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1961 to 1990, he later stood as a political independent, during which time he was viewed as being ideologically aligned with liberalism and Russian nationalism.
Also known as: Yeltsin, Yeltsin, Boris, International reactions to the death of Boris Yeltsin
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27 quotes
You can build a throne with bayonets, but it's difficult to sit on it.
A man must live like a great brilliant flame and burn as brightly as he can. In the end he burns out. But this is far better than a mean little flame.
Storm clouds of terror and dictatorship are gathering over the whole country... They must not be allowed to bring eternal night.
I am convinced that the moment is coming when, with its message of eternal, universal values, it will come to the aid of our society.
Against the Grain (1990)
You can build a throne with bayonets, but you can't sit on it for long.
Liberty sets the mind free, fosters independence and unorthodox thinking and ideas. But it does not offer instant prosperity or happiness and wealth to everyone. This is something that politicians in particular must keep in mind.
Russia and the Independent States (1993)
I believe in this tragic hour you can make the right choice. The honor and glory of Russian men of arms shall not be stained with the blood of the people.
We don't appreciate what we have until it's gone. Freedom is like that. It's like air. When you have it, you don't notice it.
The 100 Greatest Heroes (2003)
Your commanders have ordered you to storm the White House and to arrest me. But I as the elected President of Russia give you the order to turn your tanks and not to fight against your own people.
A sense of proportion and humanitarian action are not issues for terrorists. Their aim is that of killing and destroying.
I told NATO, the Americans, the Germans, don't push us towards military action. Otherwise there will be a European war for sure and possibly world war.
Today is the last day of an era past.
I cannot shift the blame for Chechnya, for the sorrow of numerous mothers and fathers. I made the decision, therefore I am responsible.
Interview on Russian television (2000)
Let's not talk about Communism. Communism was just an idea, just pie in the sky.
History demonstrates that it is a dangerous delusion to suppose that the destinies of continents and of the world community in general can somehow be managed from one single capital
One could see that what you are writing was that today's meeting with President Bill Clinton was going to be a disaster. Now, for the first time, I can tell you that you are a disaster.
Dissidents should be paid 13 months' salary for a year, otherwise our mindless unanimity will bring us to an even more hopeless state of stagnation. It is especially important to encourage unorthodox thinking when the situation is critical: At such moments every new word and fresh thought is more precious than gold. Indeed, people must not be deprived of the right to think their own thoughts.
Against the Grain (1990)
None of these countries had revolutions with bloody casualties and there was no civil war in any of the republics... Russia had to change and it did change.
Russia must enter the new millennium with new politicians, with new faces, with new, smart, strong, energetic people.
Farewell speech (1999)
Despite all the difficulties and severe trials being experienced by the people, the democratic process in the country is acquiring an increasingly broad sweep and an irreversible character. The peoples of Russia are becoming masters of their destiny.
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