“I began to despise Lenin, even when I was in the first grade, not so m...” — Joseph Brodsky Quote

“I began to despise Lenin, even when I was in the first grade, not so much because of his political philosophy or practice... but because of his omnipresent images.”

“Once I stop being a citizen of the U.S.S.R., I will not stop being a Russian poet.”

“Every individual ought to know at least one poet from cover to cover: if not as a guide through the world, then as a yardstick for the language.”

“Can't really despise people you don't know.”

“What do you despise? By this you are truly known.”

“Only the elites despise earning money.”