The most famous phrases
Mikhail Gorbachev was famous for the sharpness of his tongue. He knew how to express himself accurately and succinctly; many of his phrases became so-called folk aphorisms. But everyone who has seen a politician speak at least once remembers one expression. This is a parasitic phrase:
Well, you understand me.
It was used constantly, in various situations, but the historical situation showed that not everyone understood Mikhail Sergeevich and not always.
Another catchphrase, immortal phrase of Gorbachev, which is known to many, but not everyone knows its authorship:
Work better tomorrow than today.
It is often taken out of context, justifying one’s own reluctance to do something. In fact, the General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee talked about a bright future and eternal values.
Did Gorbachev want to destroy the Soviet Union?
Mikhail Gorbachev was born on March 2, 1931. He was the first and only president of the USSR from 1990 to 1991. Many still consider him guilty of the collapse of the USSR. On April 23, 1985, a plenum of the CPSU Central Committee took place, which is considered the beginning of perestroika in the USSR. The changes were associated with the name of the new Secretary General Mikhail Gorbachev, who very quickly gained great popularity in society. As you know, perestroika led to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
If Gorbachev wanted anything, it was to preserve socialism and the Soviet Union. In fact, since 1990 he had been the president of the USSR and wanted to remain so. He resisted republican separatism. But on August 19 there was a coup d'état. The August putsch declared the death of the USSR a few months before the Bialowieza Accords and on December 25, 1991, when the flag of the Soviet Union was lowered.
- Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev links the crises in Belarus and Kyrgyzstan with the difficulties of the transition to democracy.
- At the end of 2021, the only president of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbachev, was hospitalized. The politician himself told the Moscow agency about this. According to journalists, Gorbachev was hospitalized with pneumonia.
About life
The political statements of the leader of the state, who came in difficult times, are certainly interesting and immersive in a special atmosphere. But even more interesting and significant from the point of view of personality analysis are Mikhail Sergeevich’s statements about life. For example, he humorously talked about how he understands age:
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From 64 to 75 years old is old age, and then old age sets in, and then go on as long as you can.
Mikhail Sergeevich described himself as a “good guy.” Here's the quote:
History is a capricious lady, and it’s hard to say what she will draw. But I want to warn her, to say that, in general, Gorbachev is a good guy.
It is known that Mikhail Sergeevich cannot imagine his life without work, despite his 90 years. He travels around Russia, gives lectures, and continues to educate himself. This is a lively, interested person who wants to take everything from life. He moved away from big politics, but did not lose interest in life.
Aphorisms from the only president of the USSR
In honor of the anniversary of the first president of the USSR, he recalls his most famous sayings. The statements of Mikhail Sergeevich Gorbachev are a real treasure for people with a sense of humor. While still General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee, he produced a whole bouquet of pearls, including the classic “who is xy”, “I don’t know, but there is a plan”, “well, you understand me”, etc. Many of the politician’s statements have been circulating for a long time among the people and are popular to this day.
“We have already been hardened by the situation, we know who xy really is” (At a press conference on August 22, 1991)
“I will answer you in Gorbachev’s way. You know this is going to be more complicated than the simple answer.”
“We have to get out, we have to get out! I don't know how, but I have a plan."
“There are people who say that Yeltsin and Gorbachev should be hanged from the same tree. Well, let’s at least then be on different branches.”
“I got into advertising out of necessity.” (About his participation in pizza advertising)
“From 64 to 75 years old is old age, and then old age sets in, and then you go as long as you can.” (On the occasion of his 75th birthday, March 6, 2006)
“It’s better to work tomorrow than today.”
“Reforms must be completed by the one who started them. And I started them.”
About politics
The leader of a huge state understood the severity of the task entrusted to him. That is why he tried by all means available to him to avoid bloodshed. Here is how Mikhail Sergeevich spoke about the use of the army:
I tried to avoid blood everywhere, and even more so the use of the army. Because he understood that even in cases where the army is used to separate warring parties and stabilize the situation, this always results in the death of people.
However, he did not deny his own mistakes. Being confident in himself, he did not notice the changes emerging in the state. Later, with self-irony and bitterness, Gorbachev said:
I was so confident that absolutely all issues could be resolved democratically that I started playing. And the coup d'état slept through.
Aphorisms from Mikhail Sergeevich Gorbachev:
*** I know what I did in life.
***
Southern Ukraine in terms of population is, in fact, the same as Crimea in terms of history. Populated by Russians, developed by Russians.
***
We have one main fever - it is America and its claims to leadership.
(USA)
***
As for compromise, this is something that must always be achieved. But don’t call compromise weak-willed.
(compromise)
***
I don’t lie, I don’t engage in incitement, I’m a person of a different breed, a person of morality and conscience.
***
This happens in history: it speeds up. She punishes those who are late. But she punishes even more those who try to get in her way.
(story)
***
The West, Russia, and Ukraine need to understand that our world is global, but small. We, in fact, now live in one big village. Everything in it is interdependent and mutually responsible. We must learn to live in a global world. The interconnection of all countries is intensifying; not taking this into account means being a fool.
***
I realized that Americans can be listened to, but they cannot be trusted. When they have an idea to do something, they will move the world to achieve it.
(USA)
***
The referendum in Crimea, in fact, has been going on for the last few years.
(Crimea)
***
The annexation of Crimea should not have happened at all. But, alas, it happened.
(Crimea)
***
The biggest mistake is if suddenly these opponents of Russia’s unification with Crimea manage to push Russia against Ukraine. But for Russians to fight with Ukrainians is absurd.
(Crimea)
***
The Lord God put a lot of amazing things into man, but for some reason he allowed such shortcomings and selfishness in him.
***
There is no need to be afraid of your people - we need to say frankly that if we are engaged in treacherous politics, then it is scary, but if you serve your state and at the same time take into account the interests of your partners, then there is no need to be afraid.
***
We have one main fever - it is America and its claims to leadership. This is not even a political dialogue, but abuse. To offend, to provoke, and most importantly, to ensure that the strife in Europe does not subside. Because they have a claim to a monopoly. Ukraine and other things are all reasons.
***
When the Cold War ended, many speeches were made about the need to build a new world order. Americans said them the most. However, it ended up that the United States chose a different policy. They embarked on the path of their triumphalism.
(USA)
***
The unification of Germany was not an isolated phenomenon, but part of the process of ending the Cold War.
***
What is new thinking? This is a recognition that there are global threats - and then it was primarily the threat of a nuclear conflict, which can only be averted through joint efforts. This means we need to build relationships in a new way, conduct dialogue, and look for ways to end the arms race. Recognize the freedom of choice of all peoples - and at the same time take into account each other’s interests, build cooperation, establish connections so that conflicts and wars in Europe become impossible.
***
Today we have to admit: there is a crisis in European (and world) politics. One of its reasons, although not the only one, is the reluctance of our Western partners to take into account Russia’s point of view and the legitimate interests of its security. In words they applauded Russia, especially during the Yeltsin years, but in reality they did not take it into account. I mean, first of all, the expansion of NATO, plans to deploy missile defense, and Western actions in regions important for Russia (Yugoslavia, Iraq, Georgia, Ukraine). They literally said this: it’s none of your business. As a result, an abscess formed and burst.
***
The decision of the United States and its allies to expand NATO eastward was finally formed in 1993. From the very beginning I called this a big mistake. Of course, this was a violation of the spirit of the statements and assurances that were given to us in 1990.
***
This colossus - the USSR - was unable to respond to the challenges of the time.
The country was the most educated in the world, the formation of new nations with their own culture, history, science, and intelligentsia took place. But they continued to be in a powerless position. Even the resolution of minor issues had to be coordinated with Moscow. Any initiative, normal initiative, was suppressed. 1 | | Next | Last
“Who is xy” and all all all: the best quotes from Gorbachev
Today, March 2, the first president of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbachev, turns 90 years old. The best quotes from the politician are recalled by DEITA.RU.
Gorbachev does not mince words. Many of his phrases became popular aphorisms and became part of everyday communication; many songs were written based on quotes from Mikhail Sergeevich.
It's all about the combination, unusual for that time, of newfangled foreign phrases with the harsh reality of the late USSR. The contrast between Americanisms and Soviet slang immediately stuck in people’s memories – even though the attitude towards them was rather contradictory.
At first, Gorbachev was cautious and wanted to carry out democratic reforms based on the existing pillars of socialism, perhaps turning it into “developed socialism.”
“We have no doubt that democracy is good, but the fundamental needs of citizens must first be met. If this requires authoritarianism, I welcome such authoritarianism,” said the General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee at that time.
Prohibition became a harsh measure for citizens of the USSR. At that time, five million Soviet people were alcoholics - unimaginable numbers. About this Gorbachev noted that “drunkenness was everywhere. Both in production and in departments. I know this from Raisa Maksimovna’s work.” Prohibition allowed us to save millions of lives, but after two years it was over,” Gorbachev also commented on Prohibition, but many years later.
The famous parasitic phrase “Well, you understand me,” heard at almost every public speech by Gorbachev, became firmly associated with him since the mid-eighties. As history has shown, not everyone understood Gorbachev.
In the most acute period of 1991, power in the USSR passed to the State Emergency Committee - the State Committee for the State of Emergency. President Gorbachev was blocked in Crimea. And when the putschists came to Mikhail Sergeevich in Foros, the meeting was, to put it mildly, unfriendly.
“Well, are you done, assholes?” - the president said to the guests. This phrase also became legendary.
“We have already been hardened by the situation, we know who the fuck really is,” Gorbachev said soon at a conference on the occasion of the August putsch.
Gorbachev thought a lot about things not directly related to politics. Here are a few philosophical quotes that people still remember.
“From 64 to 75 years old is old age, and then old age sets in, and then - go as far as you can.” “I’ll answer you in Gorbachev’s way. You know that this will be more complicated than a simple answer” “There are a lot of jokes on the topic that Russia is the homeland of elephants, but it is actually the homeland”
“In this case, I am with Jesus Christ. He was our first socialist. There’s nothing you can do about it,” Gorbachev spoke about his convictions already in 1997, having long since retired from government affairs.
And finally, Mikhail Sergeevich accidentally formulated a law by which a significant number of Russians still live.
“It’s better to work tomorrow than today,” he said. The incomprehensible depth of this phrase most clearly characterizes the mentality of Russians.
