More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
There are two ends to a stick, and there’s more than one way of working. If it’s for human beings—make sure and do it properly. If it’s for the big man—just make it look good.
Not The MAn, the Big Man
Apart from sleep, an old lag can call his life his own only for ten minutes at breakfast time, five at lunchtime, and five more at suppertime.
Not even nowadays when people watch something on their phones or tv while eating
A convict’s thoughts are no freer than he is: they come back to the same place, worry over the same thing continually.
Does it have to be? Will you die if not?
But—a word to the wise—don’t ever put your feet near a fire when you’re wearing boots or shoes. If they’re leather shoes they’ll crack, and if they’re felt boots they’ll steam and get damp and you won’t be the least bit warmer. And if you hold them any nearer you’ll burn them.
What good is freedom to you? If you’re free, your faith will soon be choked by thorns! Be glad you’re in prison. Here you have time to think about your soul.
Shukhov felt pleased with life as he went to sleep. A lot of good things had happened that day.
