And fate made everybody equal Outside the limits of the law Son of a kulak or Red commander Son of a priest or commissar . . . Here classes were all equalized, All men were brothers, camp mates all, Branded as traitors every one . . .
-alexander tvardovsky, "By Right of Memory"
-- Michael Pugliese
"Without knowing that we knew nothing, we went on talking without listening to each other. Sometimes we flattered and praised each other, understanding that we would be flattered and praised in return. Other times we abused and shouted at each other, as if we were in a madhouse." -Tolstoy