Character: Alexander Mikhailovich Gorchakov

- Yes, - said Gorchakov, - we promised England not to go to Bukhara and Khiva, but the inhabitants of Bukhara and Khiva did not promise that will stop coming to us with complaints of their khans.
- Your answer - ironically Napier, reminded me response to the ladies who have violated the oath of love: "Yes, I swore to love him to the grave, but I'm not sworn to do!"

Bismarck, frowning asked:
- Maybe start by getting a drink?
- E, Bismarck! - said Gorchakov. - It is only in Russia at first drink, and then come to blows. Let's modify this order: first fight, and then drink...

Gorchakov has already partially neutralized Whitehall assurance that Russia considers Afghanistan as outside the sphere of Russian influences. And he did not like reminders about the power of the British Navy:
- Karakum armadillos did not win.

Gorchakov visited and the Ambassador of distant Washington:
America never recognized the terms of the Paris Treaty. Squadron of the United States Navy at your disposal. Say the word and our monitors will appear on the Bosphorus, the finished shots of the seraglio of the Sultan of Turkey to pay Russia for all the services that she has provided President Abraham Lincoln in his fight with the Southern States...
Thank you, - said Gorchakov. - Give gratitude to the Congress. But the war is confined to the fluttering of papers. Then all the papers will be filed in the archives, and we calmed the nerves with Valerian, we proceed to the revival of the black sea fleet.

But your desire since Peter is the First to expand has already become chronic and dangerous. On the experience of my country, I know how hard it is to be able to stop. Admit that you limit sign, but you know the limit of your generals?
What do you suspect us? - resentfully inquired of Gorchakov. - In Russia there are places where no one has gone before, and we, Russians, are still hoping to find in Siberia a living mammoth. Is wise of England think that Russia is concerned about the increment of land spaces?
- You're so outrageously swollen, remarked Napier.
Our tumor - hereditary, unlike yours - always a stranger, a well-developed Mercantile interests...

Not just speaking in the State Council, Gorchakov said:
- No mistakes of the government of the revolution is impossible, in every revolution lies the fault of the government...

It seemed Nesselrode rights: Russia has nothing to say, Russia humiliated, Russia pushed back, Russia is dumb...
Was an ordinary autumn day, when in St. Petersburg tapped on the Telegraph, sending the capitals of the world Ministerial circular addressed seems to be of Russian ambassadors abroad, in fact, addressed to the attention of the whole Europe.
<...>
The main task - the development of the internal forces of the country.
But this does not mean that Russia withdraws into himself.
On the contrary, she is ready to participate actively in the political life all over the world and primarily in Europe...
The Telegraph was otstoyali decisive chord Gorchakov:
They say that Russia is angry.
No, Russia is not angry.
Russia concentrates.
The last phrase of the French language in the capitals of the world translated in different ways, and often it was the threat:
- Russia increases...

Late at night, when the building of the Ministry was the candles, Gorchakov liked to stay in office, over a bottle of wine "Hermitage" loved to chat with Tyutchev and Jomini.
- Europe considers us Asians. But we belong in Europe to the same extent as Asia. All his huge body of Russia has swept across the Asian expanse, exposing bare heels on the Aleutian Islands, but the head of our homeland eternally rested in Europe... Russia is Now publicly want to separate from the great European concert. In ancient times, the Pope excommunicated the German Caesar, Henry the Fourth, and he arrived at Canossa, he dusted his head with ashes, repentance tore his clothes, week, stood on his feet under a rain and sun, with tears begging daddy not to reject him. But if Europe hopes that Russia, too, will go to Canossa to repent, then she is mistaken... not!

In politics, as in love, anything is possible...

Gorchakov, sitting on the potty, told the doctors:
- Think of me out of the bad consequences of the policy of the Holy Alliance of the monarchs... Oh, my God! Forgive and have mercy on us sinners, Queen of heaven, Mediatrix, our thou...