 He was a hard worker, and displayed a keen desire to learn; when in power, he scrutinised many details of Soviet life, from film scripts to architectural plans and military hardware.According to Volkogonov, "Stalin's private life and working life were one and the same"; he did not take days off from political activities.Stalin could play different roles to different audiences, and was adept at deception, often deceiving others as to his true motives and aims.