Poor Liza and Other Tales

(Original work published 1792 primarily as Бедная Лиза)

• “Liza,” she said, “how perfect are the works of the creation. I have passed upwards of sixty years in admiration of the blessings of providence, and I still find new causes for our gratitude.”

• There is a critical moment in the calendar of love, and its power is infinite.

• True happiness can only be found in the paths of virtue.

• The wonders of the creation may be described, but the springs of the heart operate in the heart alone.

• Women complain about men, and men complain about women. Who is right?

• Those pedagogues were not then in existence, and secondly, the Russians in general knew little about books. They brought up their children as nature rears her plants.