A politician must have some ...

A politician must have some scruples, a certain decency; he cannot smear himself in the mud for the sake of a high ideal.
 Boris Yeltsin

Quotes from the same author

I cannot shift the blame for Chechnya, for the sorrow of numerous mothers and fathers. I made the decision, therefore I am responsible.
 Boris Yeltsin
I ask you to forgive me for not fulfilling some hopes of those people who believed that we would be able to jump from the totalitarian past into a bright, rich and civilized future in one go.
 Boris Yeltsin
We, Russia, are prepared to work with others. I am convinced that stability and security in Europe cannot be considered without taking Russia into account.
 Boris Yeltsin
It is especially important to encourage unorthodox thinking when the situation is critical: At such moments every new word and fresh thought is more precious than gold. Indeed, people must not be deprived of the right to think their own thoughts.
 Boris Yeltsin
We don't appreciate what we have until it's gone. Freedom is like that. It's like air. When you have it, you don't notice it.
 Boris Yeltsin