RUSSIAN PROVERB

Lord Action had a famous version of this sentiment—{625555}.

This old proverb, commonly uttered in Russia and Slavic countries, in part, explains why Russians, Serbs, and others of the area seem so mired in the past.

He was chiding revolutionaries who wanted instant change in Russia with a sudden violent revolution which Plekhanov warned would probably fail. Plekhanov urged preparation and doing the necessary groundwork for a revolution to succeed.

The intellectually clever person will have many who will follow him and leverage his ideas. This is one of the reasons that intellectuals are sought as leaders and advisors, but also distrusted by power structures just because the can find followers.

This idea was expressed by Voltaire {196416} and later by Robert F. Kennedy {624825}.

This old proverb, commonly uttered in Russia and Slavic countries, in part, explains why Russians, Serbs, and others of the area seem so mired in the past.

Lord Action had a famous version of this sentiment—{625555}.

He was chiding revolutionaries who wanted instant change in Russia with a sudden violent revolution which Plekhanov warned would probably fail. Plekhanov urged preparation and doing the necessary groundwork for a revolution to succeed.

This idea was expressed by Voltaire {196416} and later by Robert F. Kennedy {624825}.

Russia has a vast border common with China and there has always been much trade and intercourse between the cultures. The Chinese were in many ways much more sophisticated than the Russians who were feudal for many years, The formality and structure of the bribery system was astounding to the Russians. Ironically, the Russians learned very well and corruption and bribery is commonplace in Russia and is tolerated by the government and the culture. In China however, the modern government, with full knowledge of the incredible tradition and history of Chinese bribery and corruption, is draconian when officials are caught. The death penalty is commonly meted out rapidly to Chinese officials accepting bribes and to those who did the bribing. With the rapid economic growth of China, there is worry that some of the old ways will return/

The intellectually clever person will have many who will follow him and leverage his ideas. This is one of the reasons that intellectuals are sought as leaders and advisors, but also distrusted by power structures just because the can find followers.