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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.

— Boris Yeltsin Russia and the Independent States (1993)

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Freedom

More quotes by Boris Yeltsin

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.

All Boris Yeltsin quotes →

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You have to start with the truth. The truth is the only way that we can get anywhere. Because any decision-making that is based upon lies or ignorance can't lead to a good conclusion.

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What constitutes the bulwark of our own liberty and independence?

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Science and religion are two human enterprises sharing many features.

Freeman Dyson Infinite in All Directions (1988)

There is no governor anywhere; you are all absolutely free. There is no restraint that cannot be escaped.

Robert Anton Wilson

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Boris Yeltsin (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.