“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.”
“Let's not talk about Communism. Communism was just an idea, just pie in the sky.”
Boris Yeltsin
“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.”
Boris Yeltsin
“Storm clouds of terror and dictatorship are gathering over the whole country... They must not be allowed to bring eternal night.”
Boris Yeltsin
“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.”
Boris Yeltsin
“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.”
Boris Yeltsin