From the Russian of Griboiedoff translated by Nicholas Benardaky. Woe from Wit is Alexander Griboyedov"s comedy in verse, satirizing the society of post-Napoleonic Moscow, or, as a high official in the play styled it, "a pasquinade on Moscow." The play was a compulsory work in Russian literature lessons in Soviet schools, and is still considered a golden classic in modern Russia and other Russian-speaking countries. The play gave rise to numerous catchphrases in the Russian language, including the title itself.