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Fyodor Dostoevsky

Fyodor Dostoevsky Quotes

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Famous Fyodor Dostoevsky Quotes

“The world says: "You have needs - satisfy them. You have as much right as the rich and the mighty. Don't hesitate to satisfy your needs; indeed, expand your needs and demand more." This is the worldly doctrine of today. And they believe that this is freedom. The result for the rich is isolation and suicide, for the poor, envy and murder.”

WorldNeedsBelieveTodayPoorResultsRichDemandMurderSuicideGreedEnvyDoctrineIsolationMaterialismWorldlyBrothers KaramazovSelfishness And Greed
Author:Fyodor Dostoevsky
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“Do you think it is a vain hope that one day man will find joy in noble deeds of light and mercy, rather than in the coarse pleasures he indulges in today -- gluttony, fornication, ostentation, boasting, and envious vying with his neighbor? I am certain this is not a vain hope and that the day will come soon.”

ThinkingMenLightTodayJoyCertainPleasureOne DayMercyDeedsNobleNeighborVainBoastIndulgeEnviousIndulge InGluttonyCoarseOstentationNoble Deeds
Book:The Brothers Karamazov
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“I think everyone must love life more than anything else in the world.' 'Love life more than the meaning of it?' 'Yes, certainly. Love it regardless of logic, as you say. Yes, most certainly regardless of logic, for only then will I grasp its meaning. That's what I've been vaguely aware of for a long time. Half your work is done, Ivan: you love life. Now you must try to do the second half and you are saved.”

ThinkingWorldTryingLongDoneHalfLong TimeLogicSavedLove LifeWorld Love
Author:Fyodor Dostoevsky
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“Ah, Misha, he has a stormy spirit. His mind is in bondage. He is haunted by a great, unsolved doubt. He is one of those who don't want millions, but an answer to their questions.”

WantMindSpiritAnswersMillionsDoubtBondageStormy
Book:The Brothers Karamazov (English Russian Edition illustrated): Братья Карамазовы (англо-русская редакция иллюстрированная)
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“Nothing could be more absurd than moral lessons at such a moment! Oh, self-satisfied people: with what proud self-satisfaction such babblers are ready to utter their pronouncements! If they only knew to what degree I myself understand all the loathsomeness of my present condition, they wouldn't have the heart to teach me.”

PeopleIfsHeartSelfMomentsMoralTeachConditionsReadyProudLessonsDegreesSatisfactionSatisfiedAbsurdSelf-satisfactionMoral Lessons
Author:Fyodor Dostoevsky
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“People talk sometimes of a bestial cruelty, but that's a great injustice and insult to the beasts; a beast can never be so cruel as a man, so artistically cruel. The tiger only tears and gnaws, that's all he can do. He would never think of nailing people by the ears, even if he were able to do it.”

PeopleIfsThinkingMenSometimesAbleCan DoTearsEarsInjusticeCrueltyBeastInsultTigersBrothers Karamazov
Book:The Brothers Karamazov (English Russian Edition illustrated): Братья Карамазовы (англо-русская редакция иллюстрированная)
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“Whoever has experienced the power and the unrestrained ability to humiliate another human being automatically loses his own sensations. Tyranny is a habit, it has its own organic life, it develops finally into a disease. The habit can kill and coarsen the very best man or woman to the level of a beast. Blood and power intoxicate ... the return of the human dignity, repentance and regeneration becomes almost impossible.”

MenHumansLosesHuman BeingsAbilityLevelsImpossibleBloodReturnHabitDiseaseDignityTyrannyBeastRepentanceSensationsHuman DignityRegenerationHumiliateOrganic Life
Author:Fyodor Dostoevsky
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“Lamentations comfort only by lacerating the heart still more. Such grief does not desire consolation. It feeds on the sense of its hopelessness. Lamentations spring only from the constant craving to re-open the wound.”

HeartDoeStillsDesireGriefComfortSpringConstantWoundsHopelessnessConsolationCravingBrothers KaramazovLamentation
Book:The Brothers Karamazov (English Russian Edition illustrated): Братья Карамазовы (англо-русская редакция иллюстрированная)
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“--you wouldn't have hurt me like this for nothing. So what have I done? How have I wronged you? Tell me.”

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Book:The Brothers Karamazov (English Russian Edition illustrated): Братья Карамазовы (англо-русская редакция иллюстрированная)
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