Quote of the day
The basis of tragedy is man's helplessness against disease, war and death; the basis of comedy is man's helplessness against vanity (the vanity of love, greed, lust, power).
Marquis de Custine

Born: March 18, 1790
Died: September 25, 1857 (aged 67)
Bio: Astolphe-Louis-Léonor, Marquis de Custine was a French aristocrat and writer who is best known for his travel writing, in particular his account of his visit to Russia La Russie en 1839.
Known for:
- La Russie en 1839 (1843)
- Empire of the Czar
- Letters from Russia
- Journey for our time
- Lettres de Russie = (1839)