God save me from lordly love. Pass us by more than all sorrows and lordly anger and lordly love...
“And the smoke of the Fatherland is sweet and pleasant to us!” – a selection of quotes, aphorisms and popular expressions from the comedy in verse by Alexander Griboedov “Woe from Wit”.
“Woe from Wit” by Alexander Griboyedov is an outstanding work of Russian literature, which literally immediately after its creation was disassembled into quotes. The most apt expressions have become popular and are used as sayings and aphorisms. We use them every day, hear them from TV screens and do not always remember that the author of these popular expressions is the poet Alexander Griboyedov. We assume that in terms of the number of aphorisms and sayings “emerged” from a literary work, “Woe from Wit” is the absolute champion of not only Russian, but also world literature. And this despite the fact that “Woe from Wit” is a very small work. So, word from Alexander Griboedov:
Portrait of Alexander Griboedov, artist Ivan Kramskoy, 1875, painted from lithography
Statements are quoted in the order of their appearance in the text of the comedy “Woe from Wit”.
"Woe from Wit" Act I
1. “...Pass us beyond all sorrows
And lordly anger, and lordly love.” (Lisa, phenomenon 2)
2. “Happy people don’t watch the clock.” (Sofia, phenomenon 3)
3. “And all the Kuznetsky Bridge, and the eternal French,
Destroyers of pockets and hearts!
When the Creator will deliver us
From their hats! caps! and stilettos! and pins!
And book and biscuit shops!” (Famusov, phenomenon 4)
4. “No other model is needed,
When your father’s example is in your eyes.” (Famusov, phenomenon 4)
5. “Blessed is he who believes, he has warmth in the world!” (Chatsky, phenomenon 6)
6. “Where is better?” (Sofia) “Where we are not.” (Chatsky, phenomenon 6)
7. “Will you get tired of living with them, and in whom you won’t find any stains?
When you wander, you return home,
And the smoke of the Fatherland is sweet and pleasant to us!” (Chatsky, phenomenon 6)
8. “However, he will reach the known degrees,
After all, nowadays they love the dumb.” (Chatsky, phenomenon 6)
"Woe from Wit" Act II- catchphrases, aphorisms, quotes:
9. “I would be glad to serve, but being served is sickening.” (Chatsky, phenomenon 2)
10. “The legend is fresh, but hard to believe.” (Chatsky, phenomenon 2)
11. “Is this the same thing? take some bread and salt:
Whoever wants to come to us is welcome;
The door is open for the invited and the uninvited,
Especially from foreign ones;
Whether an honest person or not,
It’s all the same for us, dinner is ready for everyone.” (Famusov about Muscovites, phenomenon 6)
12. “The houses are new, but the prejudices are old.
Rejoice, they won’t destroy you
Neither their years, nor fashion, nor fires.” (Chatsky about Moscow, phenomenon 5)
13. “Who are the judges?” (Chatsky, phenomenon 5)
14. “Where, show us, are the fatherlands,
Which ones should we take as models?
Aren't these the ones who are rich in robbery?
They found protection from court in friends, in kinship,
Magnificent building chambers,
Where they indulge in feasts and extravagance...” (Chatsky, phenomenon 5)
15. “And who in Moscow didn’t have their mouths clamped
Lunches, dinners and dances? (Chatsky, phenomenon 5)
16. “...evil tongues are worse than a pistol!” (Molchalin, phenomenon 11)
"Woe from Wit" Act II I- catchphrases, aphorisms, quotes:
17. “I’m strange, but who isn’t?
The one who is like all fools...” (Chatsky, phenomenon 1)
18. “Ranks are given by people,
And people can be deceived.” (Chatsky, phenomenon 3)
19. “The girls have been evil for a whole century, God will forgive her.” (Princess, phenomenon 8)
20. “Ah, France! There is no better region in the world! -
The two princesses, sisters, decided, repeating
A lesson that was taught to them from childhood.
Where to go from the princesses! -
I sent wishes away
Humble, yet out loud,
May the Lord destroy this unclean spirit
Empty, slavish, blind imitation...” (Chatsky, phenomenon 22)
"Woe from Wit" Act I V- catchphrases, aphorisms, quotes:
21. “Oh! if someone penetrated people:
What's worse about them? soul or tongue? (Chatsky, phenomenon 10)
Blessed is he who believes, he is warm in the world! Chatsky
When you wander, you return home, and the smoke of the Fatherland is sweet and pleasant to us! Chatsky
Anyone who is poor is not a match for you. Famusov
Happy hours are not observed. Sofia
I would be glad to serve, but being served is sickening. Chatsky
Pass us away from all sorrows and lordly anger and lordly love. Lisa
There is no need for another example when the example of your father is in your eyes. Famusov
The legend is fresh, but hard to believe. Chatsky
You can share laughter with everyone. Sofia
Signed, off your shoulders. Famusov
And grief awaits around the corner. Sofia
Are they busy recruiting regiments of teachers, more in number, at a cheaper price? Chatsky
I don’t care what goes into the water. Sofia
Terrible century! Don't know what to start! Everyone was smart beyond their years. Famusov
Who serves the cause, not individuals... Chatsky
ABOUT! If someone penetrated people: what is worse about them? soul or language? Chatsky
Read not like a sexton, but with feeling, sense, and order. Famusov
Like all Moscow people, your father is like this: he would like a son-in-law with stars and ranks. Lisa
Those who need it are arrogant, they lie in the dust, and for those who are higher, they wove flattery like lace. Chatsky
And a golden bag, and aims to become a general. Lisa
You young people have nothing else to do but notice girlish beauty. Famusov
Yes, at least someone will be confused by quick questions and a curious look... Sofia
Fools believed it, passed it on to others, old women immediately sounded the alarm - and here is public opinion! Chatsky
My father bequeathed to me: firstly, to please all people without exception - the Master, where I happen to live, the Chief, with whom I will serve, his Servant, who cleans the dresses, the doorman, the janitor, to avoid evil, the janitor’s dog, so that he is affectionate. Molchalin
From the comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824) A. S. Griboedova(1795-1829). Words of the maid Lisa (act. 1, appearance 2):
Ah, far away from the masters;
They prepare troubles for themselves at every hour,
Pass us away more than all sorrows
And lordly anger, and lordly love.
The world belongs to the strong
see By the right of the strong
Peaceful coexistence
From the report of the Commissioner for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Government Georgy Vasilyevich Chicherin(1872-1936) at a meeting of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee (1920): “Our slogan is peaceful coexistence with other governments, whatever they may be.”
In the form of “peaceful cohabitation” the expression was used by V.I. Lenin in his “Response to questions from the Berlin correspondent of Amer. information agency "Universal Service" by Karl Wigand (1920).
Usually serves to define a loyal, equal relationship with someone, without friendship, but also without enmity (jokingly ironic).
World sorrow
From German: Weltschmerz.
From the unfinished work “Selina, or about immortality” (published 1827) by a German satirist Jean Paul(pseudonym of I.-P. Richter, 1763-1825), who used this expression when speaking about “countless torments of people.”
As the Russian poet and translator wrote Petr Isaevich Weinberg(1830-1908) in his article “The Poetry of World Sorrow” (1895), world sorrow is “grief for the imperfections of the world, for the disorder in it and for the suffering of mankind.”
The expression became especially popular after the publication of the article “From an exhibition of paintings in 1831.” German poet Heinrich Heine, who, speaking about the painting by the artist Delaroche “Oliver Cromwell at the Body of Charles I,” wrote: “What a huge world sorrow the master expressed in a few features!”
Playfully ironic: about someone’s gloomy appearance, bad mood, despondency, etc.
Mister X
The stage name of the main character in Imre Kalman's operetta “The Circus Princess” (1926). Libretto Julius Brummer And Arnold Grunwald.
Playfully and ironically: about someone unknown or about someone who wishes to maintain his anonymity.
Mitrofanushka
The main character of the comedy “The Minor” (1783) Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin(1745-1792) - a spoiled son of a landowner, lazy and ignorant. A common noun for young people of this type.
Bear, Bear, where is your smile?
From the song “Mishka” (1947), words and music (arranged by V. Nechaev) for which the poet wrote Georgy Alexandrovich Titov (1919-1989):
Bear, Bear, where is your smile,
Full of enthusiasm and fire?
The most ridiculous mistake -
That you are leaving me.
Playful and ironic: a call to cheer up, shake off sadness, smile.
I'm sad... because you're having fun
From the poem “Why” (1840) M. Yu. Lermontova (1814-1841):
I'm sad because I love you
And I know: your blooming youth
The insidious persecution will not spare rumors.
For every bright day or sweet moment
You will pay fate with tears and melancholy.
I'm sad... because you're having fun.
It is used allegorically as a response to an interlocutor who does not understand the seriousness of the situation around him (the severity of his own offense, guilt, etc.) and still maintains a rosy mood.
Your gift is not dear to me, / Your love is dear
From the Russian folk song “On the Pavement Street”:
Your gift is not dear to me, -
Dear your love,
I don't want to wear a ring
I want to love my friend like that.
The meaning of the expression: what is important is not the cost and sophistication of the gift, but the feelings that it is intended to express.
I don’t find it funny when the painter is worthless / Raphael’s Madonna gets dirty for me
From the tragedy “Mozart and Salieri” (1830) A. S. Pushkina (1799- 1837):
I don't find it funny when the painter is worthless
Raphael's Madonna gets dirty for me,
I don't find it funny when the buffoon is despicable
Alighieri is dishonored by parody
Allegorically: about unprofessionalism, carelessly performed work.
I didn't have time to write more briefly
From the book “Letters to a provincial, or Letters of Louis Montalt to a friend in the province and to the Jesuit fathers on the morality and politics of the Jesuits” (1657) by a French scientist, philosopher and writer Blaise Pascal(1623-1662). At the end of the 16th letter of this book, he wrote: “This letter turned out to be longer only because I had no time to write it shorter.”
Another famous translation: “I didn’t have time to write a shorter letter.”
The meaning of the expression: to compose a short, logical and meaningful text (and, accordingly, think about it) you need much more time than to simply record on paper all the thoughts that come to mind on one occasion or another. In the latter case, verbosity is inevitable.
Vengeance is mine, and I will repay
From Bible(Church Slavonic text). Translation: Vengeance is upon me, and it will come from me (meaning: vengeance is not for human judgment).
Found in the Old Testament (Fifth Book of Moses) and the New Testament (Apostle Paul's Epistle to the Romans, Chapter 12, Art. 19): “Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but give way to the wrath of God. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”
L.N. Tolstoy used this text as an epigraph to the novel Anna Karenina.
Imaginary patient
From French: Le malade imaginaire.
Russian translation of the title of the comedy (1673) by the French playwright Jean Baptiste Moliere(pseudonym of Jean Baptiste Poquelin, 1622-1673).
Playfully and ironically: about a healthy person who pretends to be sick due to some of his circumstances.
Posted by A.A. Bestuzhev: “I’m not talking about poetry, half of it should become a proverb.”
Many of Griboedov’s aphorisms have entered everyday speech:
We use popular expressions without thinking about their authorship.
Of course, quotes from “Woe from Wit” gained popularity not only thanks to Griboyedov’s talent. After the coup of 1917, the accusatory play was included in school programs and theater repertoires.
Griboyedov's catchphrases given below are correlated with the characters in the play. Their characteristics were obtained through catchphrases. There are eighty proverbs in total.
The most popular, and therefore most appropriate proverbs for a given person are included in the headings.
Lisa - Pass us away from all sorrows and master's anger and master's love
Famusov - That's it, you are all proud!
|
She can't sleep from French books, And all the Kuznetsky Most, and the eternal French. No other sample is needed Terrible century! Don't know what to start! Oh! Mother, don’t finish the blow! He fell painfully, but got up well. What a commission, Creator, Don't read like a sexton Philosophize - your mind will spin. What kind of aces live and die in Moscow! Brother, don’t mismanage your property, That's it, you are all proud! |
My custom is this: You shouldn’t be in Moscow, you shouldn’t live with people; He wants to preach freedom! When I have employees, strangers are very rare; Well, how can you not please your loved one!.. You behaved correctly: They will argue, make some noise, and... disperse. Here you go! great misfortune Once evil is stopped: Bah! All familiar faces! What does he say? and speaks as he writes! Oh! My God! what will he say |
Sofia - The hero of not my novel
Chatsky - Who are the judges?
|
It's barely light on my feet! and I am at your feet. And here is the reward for your exploits! Oh! tell love the end Where is it better? (Sofia) When you wander, you return home, More in number, cheaper in price? A confusion of languages still prevails: The legend is fresh, but hard to believe. Tell me to go into the fire: I’ll go as if for dinner. I would be glad to serve, but being served is sickening. However, he will reach the known degrees, Who serves the cause, not individuals... When I'm busy, I hide from fun, |
The houses are new, but the prejudices are old. Who are the judges? The women shouted: hurray! But to have children, Ranks are given by people, Blessed is he who believes, he is warm in the world! For mercy's sake, you and I are not guys, It won't be good to hear such praise. No! I'm dissatisfied with Moscow. Despite reason, despite the elements. At least we could borrow some from the Chinese Listen! lie, but know when to stop. Get out of Moscow! I don't go here anymore. |
Skalozub - In my opinion, the fire contributed a lot to her decoration
Molchalin - Ah! evil tongues are worse than a gun
Khlestova – Calendars all lie
Repetilov – A look and something
Princess - He is a chemist, he is a botanist
|
Chinov doesn’t want to know! He's a chemist, he's a botanist... |
From the slogan “Down with ten capitalist ministers!”, which appeared (June 14, 1917) in the Bolshevik newspaper Pravda, and on June 18, under this slogan, a large demonstration against the Provisional Government took place, led by supporters of V.I. Lenin.
Ironically: about ministers and officials who came to the government from big business, and after completing their career in the government go to well-paid positions in banks, large companies, to the creation and prosperity of which they once had a hand.
Ministers fall like sandwiches: usually face down in the dirt
From German: Minister fallen wie Butterbrote: gewonlich auf die gute Seite.
Literally: Ministers fall like sandwiches: usually on the good side(that is, butter side down).
Words of a German critic and democratic publicist Carla Ludwig Berne(1786-1837), leader of the writing association “Young Germany”, which ideologically prepared the German revolution of 1848.
Apparently, K. L. Berne paraphrased an old Jewish proverb: “The sandwich always falls butter side down.”
Ironically: about ministers, major officials dismissed for one or another sin against the law or morality.
The golden days of Aranjuez are over
From the tragedy “Don Carlos, Infante of Spain” (1787) Johann Friedrich Schiller(1759-1805). With these words of Domingo, the king's confessor, this play begins. We are talking about Don Carlos's stay in the pleasure palace of the Spanish King Philip II in Aranjuez near Madrid. In Russia until the beginning of the 20th century. "Aranjuez" was usually pronounced "Aran-juez." Accordingly, Schiller’s phrase was quoted.
Allegorically: a good, carefree time has passed, a time for fun and entertainment.
The charm of days gone by
The charm of days gone by
Why did you rise again?
Who awakened the memory
And silent dreams?
These lines became widely known due to the fact that they were set to music by A. Pleshcheev (1832), P. Bulakhov (1846) and Y. Capri (1879) and thus became the words of a popular romance.
Allegorically: about a happy, carefree time of life.
Pass us away more than all sorrows / Both lordly anger and lordly love
From the comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824) A. S. Griboedova(1795-1829). Words of the maid Lisa (act. 1, appearance 2):
Ah, far away from the masters;
They prepare troubles for themselves at every hour,
Pass us away more than all sorrows
And lordly anger, and lordly love.
The world belongs to the strong
see By the right of the strong
Peaceful coexistence
From the report of the Commissioner for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Government Georgy Vasilyevich Chicherin(1872-1936) at a meeting of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee (1920): “Our slogan is peaceful coexistence with other governments, whatever they may be.”
In the form of “peaceful cohabitation” the expression was used by V.I. Lenin in his “Response to questions from the Berlin correspondent of Amer. information agency "Universal Service" by Karl Wigand (1920).
Usually serves to define a loyal, equal relationship with someone, without friendship, but also without enmity (jokingly ironic).
World sorrow
From German: Weltschmerz.
From the unfinished work “Selina, or about immortality” (published 1827) by a German satirist Jean Paul(pseudonym of I.-P. Richter, 1763-1825), who used this expression when speaking about “countless torments of people.”
As the Russian poet and translator wrote Petr Isaevich Weinberg(1830-1908) in his article “The Poetry of World Sorrow” (1895), world sorrow is “grief for the imperfections of the world, for the disorder in it and for the suffering of mankind.”
The expression became especially popular after the publication of the article “From an exhibition of paintings in 1831.” German poet Heinrich Heine, who, speaking about the painting by the artist Delaroche “Oliver Cromwell at the Body of Charles I,” wrote: “What a huge world sorrow the master expressed in a few features!”
Playfully ironic: about someone’s gloomy appearance, bad mood, despondency, etc.
Mister X
The stage name of the main character in Imre Kalman's operetta “The Circus Princess” (1926). Libretto Julius Brummer And Arnold Grunwald.
Playfully and ironically: about someone unknown or about someone who wishes to maintain his anonymity.
Mitrofanushka
