- Nikolai Rostov: When we first met, we all seemed to be in trouble enough. But you know that I'd give anything to have that time back again.
- Pierre Bezukhov: Russia cannot, must not, and will not, stand still.
- Nikolai Rostov: I would have thought we'd had enough action in the last few years to last us a lifetime. It's much better to leave things as they are.
- Pierre Bezukhov: Things won't stay as they are, Nikolai, whether we want them to or not. If men like us do nothing about it, our men with fewer scruples will take over the government and the reins for themselves, believe me.
- Princess Maria Bolkonskya: Give me the ring. I'll have it mended.
- Nikolai Rostov: No. No, I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll leave it as it is, to remind me every day not to lose my temper.
- Nikolai Rostov: It seems such a long time ago since we met at Bogucharovo.
- Princess Maria Bolkonskya: Yes. I think of it often. Do you, sometimes?
- Nikolai Rostov: I don't believe in dwelling on the past.
- Princess Maria Bolkonskya: Oh, well, to think of it is not necessarily to dwell on it.
- Pierre Bezukhov: You see, for Nikolai, talk is an amusement, whereas for me, it's a... it's a preparation for action.
- Pierre Bezukhov: I couldn't live in the country. I don't know how Nikolai stands it. I suppose I miss the ferment of new ideas.
- Natasha Rostova: Nikolai's a born conservative. He hates new ideas.
- Pierre Bezukhov: Nikolai doesn't like to talk of change. He wants things settled, and I understand that. I sympathize with it, and, uh... But change is sweeping through Europe. What, are we to shelter Russia behind walls and forever remain somewhere in the Middle Ages?