Vladimir Putin

It’s Russia some people would like to get rid of. They are still afraid of our nuclear deterrent. We have our own foreign policy whether they like it or not.

It is wrong to make anyone into an enemy; it is wrong to scare the people of one’s own country with that enemy and try to rally some allies on that basis.

Russia does not and cannot have any political choice but democracy. I want to say, and even stress, that we share those universal democratic principles taken around the whole world.

The whole world recognizes Russia’s cultural achievements. It is impossible to imagine the world culture without Russian culture, without our music and literature.

Recently one of Germany’s famous and popular publications wrote that President Trump is pushing Europe toward Putin. If we take this together with an earlier joke, that Russia influenced elections in the United States, then this all taken together starts sounding pretty funny. We apparently influenced the election of the U.S. President, and then he gifted us Europe. Total nonsense. There’s no way to describe this other than as a joke.

No one should be allowed to violently trample on the law.

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

People in general are equally horrified at hearing the Christian religion doubted, and at seeing it practiced.

The clergyman is expected to be a kind of human Sunday.

I’m an atheist and I thank God for it.

Meditation is the ultimate mobile device; you can use it anywhere, anytime, unobtrusively.

Mind your thoughts, as they become your words. Mind your words, as they become your actions. Mind your actions, as they become you.

Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual everyday routine. – Shunryu Suzuki

Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.

Do not learn how to react learn how to respond.

Before enlightnment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightnment, chop wood, carry water.

Small amounts of philosophy lead to atheism, but larger amounts bring us back to God.

I once wanted to become an atheist, but I gave up – they have no holidays.

I’m essentially agnostic. I don’t have a problem with God. I have a problem with religion. I’ve chosen to live my life without the certainties of religious faith. I think they’re dangerous. Music is something that gives my life value and spiritual solace.

Buddha means awareness, the awareness of body and mind that prevents evil from arising in either.

The whole moon and the entire sky are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass.