Anton Chekhov

"Men are made for happiness and anyone who is completely happy has a right to say to himself: 'I am doing God's will on earth.'."

"It was hard and sour, but, as Poushkin said, the illusion which exalts us is dearer to us than ten thousand truths. I saw a happy man, one whose dearest dream had come true, who had attained his goal in life, who had got what he wanted, and was pleased with his destiny and with himself."

"If you want to work on your acting, work on yourself."

"To torment and tantalize oneself with hopes of possible fortune is so sweet, so thrilling!"

"She stood in awe of her elder daughter. Lida was never tender, she spoke only about serious things; she lived her own separate life and for her mother and sister was as sacred and slightly mysterious a personage as an admiral who always remains in his cabin is for his sailors.- The House with the Mezzanine."