“When the Soviet government is experiencing a difficult period and plots are being hatched by bourgeois elements and when at a critical moment we manage to lay bare these plots — do they think they are discovered accidentally? Oh, no, not accidentally. They are discovered because the plotters live among the masses, because they cannot succeed in their plots without the workers and peasants and it is there that, in the long run, they run up against people who go to that badly organised, as they said here, Cheka and say that exploiters are gathered in a certain place.”

“No opera plot can be sensible, for people do not sing when they are feeling sensible.”

“So if you're still playing the game or care in the slightest about having the plot spoiled, try not to accidentally trip, fall forward and highlight all of the following text.”

“Plot me no plots.”

“Character is plot, plot is character.”

“I know that there are scores of people plotting to kill me, and this is not difficult to understand. After all, did we not seize power by plotting against our predecessors? However, I am far cleverer than they are. I know they are conspiring to kill me long before they actually start planning to do it. This enables me to get them before they have the faintest chance of striking at me.”

“But people will do anything rather than admit that their lives have no meaning. No use, that is. No plot.”

“Sentio aliquos togatos contra me conspirare.
I think some people in togas are plotting against me.”

“Plot is no more than footprints left in the snow after your characters have run by on their way to incredible destinations.”

“Without conflict there is no plot, without hope there is no story”