30 outstanding phrases of Dostoevsky

F.M. Dostoevsky: short biography

I think that many of you will like the statements of this difficult person. Perhaps you will take some of them into service and operate with them when the opportunity arises, or maybe they will serve as a lesson for you.

The books of the great writer and thinker influenced the work of a number of Nobel Prize laureates in literature and the formation of existentialism and Freudianism. Next I will talk about some facts from the biography of F.M. Dostoevsky.

I will also give some of his selected statements. Here is one of them: “Without the rudiments of the positive and beautiful, a person cannot emerge from childhood into life; without the rudiments of the positive and beautiful, a generation cannot be set on its journey.”

Childhood and youth

The most famous writer was born on November 11 (October 30, old style) 1821 in Moscow, at the Mariinsky Hospital for the Poor, where Father Mikhail Andreevich, who was distinguished by a very tough, cruel disposition, worked at that time as a surgeon.

His mother, Maria Feodorovna, a merchant’s daughter, was, on the contrary, an example of kindness and kindness; her religious worldview played a significant role in shaping the views of the future writer.

Since 1832, teachers first came home to Fyodor and Mikhail, his older brother, from 1834-1837. they were trained in a private boarding school. The year 1837 played a special role in the writer’s life: this year his mother died, A. S. Pushkin, one of his favorite childhood writers, died, the same year Fedor moved to St. Petersburg, where in 1838 he entered the St. Petersburg Military Engineering School school.

Studying at this institution did not inspire Dostoevsky, the disciplines taught there did not correspond to his natural inclinations, military drill and loneliness had a detrimental effect on the sensitive nervous system. In 1839, he suffered his first attack of epilepsy, which became a companion for life. The disease was provoked by a family tragedy: in 1839, his father was killed by peasants.

After graduating from college in 1843, the young specialist’s place of service was the drawing room of the St. Petersburg engineering team, but a year later he retired with the rank of lieutenant, firmly intending to devote himself to literature. His first work was a translation of Balzac's novel Eugénie Grande in 1844.

Literary activity

His first novel, “Poor People,” in 1846 was extremely highly rated by reviewers, in particular by V. Belinsky, who said that a great future awaited the young writer.

The writer became famous, but towards the second book, “The Double”, the attitude turned out to be colder.

The starting point for the next period of his biography was his acquaintance with M.V.’s society. Petrashevsky, participation in the circle of N.A. Speshneva and S.F. Durova. Dostoevsky was critical of the forbidden literature that was read at the meetings.

Despite this, in April 1849, along with all the other members of the circle, he was imprisoned in the Peter and Paul Fortress for 8 months and sentenced to death, which was canceled at the last moment.

As a punishment, the writer was ordered to serve 4 years of hard labor, after which he served as a simple soldier. After serving years of hard labor in the Omsk fortress, in January 1854 Fyodor Mikhailovich went to serve with the rank of private in Semipalatinsk.

In 1855 he was already an officer. Dostoevsky owed his promotion to the loyal poems he wrote in honor of the widow of Emperor Nicholas I, who died in February 1855.

In 1857 F.M. Dostoevsky was given back his title of nobility and given permission to publish his works.

Against the backdrop of external events, no less intense internal work took place. The writer, looking for truth in man, turned to religion with all his soul and chose Jesus Christ as his only ideal for the rest of his life.

He spoke about faith like this: “Moreover, if someone proved to me that Christ is outside the truth, and it really were that the truth is outside Christ, then I would rather remain with Christ than with the truth.”

In 1859, Dostoevsky, who retired for health reasons, was allowed to leave for Tver, and already in 1860, St. Petersburg became the new place of residence of his family, but for many years he was under secret surveillance. In St. Petersburg, Fyodor Mikhailovich, as an author and editor, worked with his brother Mikhail on the magazine “Time”, after its closure - in the magazine “Epoch”.

It was in these publications that “The Humiliated and Insulted,” “Notes from the House of the Dead,” and “Notes from the Underground” were published. Thanks to his last work, published in 1864 and influencing the development of philosophical thought in the 19th century, Dostoevsky began to be considered a national philosopher.

The years 1863-1864 in the biography are marked by travel abroad. His companion was a certain Apollinaria Suslova, with whom the writer was seriously interested at that time. Another passion was gambling, which thoroughly undermined his financial situation.

In 1866, stenographer Anna Snitkina appeared in the writer’s life, thanks to whom the novel “The Player” was presented to the publisher within a month. This woman became his wife, assistant, organizer of their life together.

In 1871, the writer said goodbye to playing roulette and plunged headlong into creativity: the period of biography from 1872 to 1878. (he lived in Staraya Russa at that time) turned out to be very fruitful. In particular, the famous novels “Demons”, “Teenager” (1875) and others were written then. He spoke about the Russian people like this: “The highest and most characteristic feature of our people is a sense of justice and a thirst for it.”

Throughout 1873-1874. Dostoevsky collaborated with the newspaper-magazine “Citizen” as an editor and at the same time wrote multi-genre works for this publication. Thus, in 1873, the beginning of the “Diary of a Writer” was laid, which he wrote intermittently until his death. He became the spokesman for Dostoevsky's religious, aesthetic, and political views and enjoyed enormous popularity.

last years of life

In October 1878, Dostoevsky returned to St. Petersburg, in 1879-1880. worked on the last novel in his creative biography “The Brothers Karamazov”. In 1879, the famous writer received an invitation from Emperor Alexander II to introduce him to the highest family.

At the opening of the monument to Pushkin in Moscow on June 8, 1880, Dostoevsky made a speech that caused an enormous public outcry and became a symbol of glory and high moral authority.

This speech also turned out to be the spiritual testament of the writer, who was perceived as a mentor, a preacher, because a year later, on February 9 (January 28, O.S.), Fyodor Mikhailovich passed away due to worsening lung disease.

On the morning of the fateful day, Dostoevsky told his wife that he would die that day, and in the evening his heart actually stopped. He was buried at the Tikhvin cemetery of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg.

Quotes from Dostoevsky Fyodor Mikhailovich

But I don’t want to go to heaven. It is indecent for a decent person to go to heaven, even if he is there

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov in a conversation with his youngest son Alexei Fyodorovich Karamazov. Fyodor Karamazov talks about his sinful life (Book IV, II).

Administrative delight

From the novel “Demons” (1871).

An atheist cannot be Russian, an atheist immediately ceases to be Russian

Quote from the novel “Demons” (1872). Words by Nikolai Stavrogin (part 2, chapter 1, 7).

It is still possible for humanity to live without an Englishman, without Germany it is possible, without a Russian man it is too possible, without science it is possible, without bread it is possible, without beauty alone it is impossible, for there will be absolutely nothing to do in the world!

From the novel “Demons” (1872). Words of Stepan Trofimovich Verkhovensky, addressed to unbridled, revolutionary-minded youth (Part 3, Chapters 1, 4).

God sent the woman a loving hysteria

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Ivan Fedorovich Karamazov in a conversation with his younger brother Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov. Alexey Karamazov told Ivan about the hysteria that happened to Katerina Ivanovna. To this Ivan responded with this phrase (Book V, III).

I need God because he is the only being who can be loved forever...

From "The Possessed" (1871).

Marriage is the moral death of every proud soul, of every independence

From "The Possessed" (1871).

Be cheerful like children, like birds of heaven.

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Elder Zosima from his conversations and teachings recorded by Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov (book VI, III).

In most cases, people, even villains, are much more naive and simple-minded than we generally assume about them. And so do we ourselves.

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). About the behavior of Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov, who learned about the death of his wife (Book I, I).

Look for happiness in grief

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Elder Zosima addressed to Alexei Karamazov. Elder Zosima explains why Alexei must leave the monastery after the death of the elder (book II, VII).

In every misfortune of a neighbor there is always something that amuses the prying eye

From "The Possessed" (1871).

In a realist, faith is not born from a miracle, but a miracle from faith

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). About the faith of Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov (book I, V).

In Russia, drunk people are the kindest. We have the kindest people and the drunkest

Words of Staff Captain Snegirev in a conversation with Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov. The staff captain says that he started drinking out of grief after Dmitry Fedorovich Karamazov (brother of Alexei Karamazov) publicly insulted the staff captain (book IV, VII).

In Russian society, the best manners are those who have been beaten

From Crime and Punishment (1866).

In troubled times of hesitation or transition, different people always and everywhere appear

From "The Possessed" (1871).

The whole law of human existence is only that man can always bow before the immeasurably great. If you deprive people of immeasurably great things, they will not live and will die in despair.

From "The Possessed" (1871).

Mutual privacy is sometimes extremely harmful to true friendship

From "The Possessed" (1871).

Power is given only to those who dare to bend down and take it

From Crime and Punishment (1866).

In every woman you can find something extremely interesting that you won’t find in anyone else—you just have to be able to find it, that’s where the trick is!

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov in a conversation with his sons. A very drunk Fyodor Karamazov talks about his relationships with women (Book III, VIII).

God gave him little time; he gave only twenty-four hours in the day, so there was no time to sleep, not only to repent.

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Ivan Fedorovich Karamazov in a conversation with his brother Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov (book III, VII “Controversy”).

Everything is in the hands of man, and yet he still misses it out of sheer cowardice.

From Crime and Punishment (1866).

All gifted and progressive people in Russia were, are and will always be gamblers and drunkards who drink heavily

From "The Possessed" (1871).

All these desperate socialists and communists are at the same time such incredible misers, acquirers, owners, and even so that the more socialist he is, the further he goes, the stronger the owner...

From "The Possessed" (1871).

The entire second half of human life is usually made up of habits accumulated in the first half alone.

From "The Possessed" (1871).

The whole essence of the Russian revolutionary idea lies in the denial of honor

From "The Possessed" (1871).

Every decent man should be under the shoe of at least some woman

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Dmitry Fedorovich Karamazov in a conversation with his brother Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov (book XI, IV).

You can’t imagine what kind of sadness and anger covers your entire soul when a great idea, which you have long since revered sacredly, is picked up by incompetent people and dragged out to the same fools as yourself, on the street, and you suddenly meet it at a flea market, unrecognizable, covered in dirt, placed absurdly, at an angle, without proportion, without harmony, a toy for stupid children!

From "The Possessed" (1871).

Talents are dying in Russia

From "The Possessed" (1871).

The headdress is the most important thing in a suit, a kind of recommendation

From Crime and Punishment (1866).

There is no such sin and there cannot be such a sin on the whole earth that God would not forgive a truly repentant person.

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Elder Zosima addressed to a woman who has committed a sinful act (book II, III).

To lend means to quarrel

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words from landowner Ekaterina Osipovna Khokhlakova addressed to Dmitry Fedorovich Karamazov. Khokhlakova refuses to lend Dmitry 3,000 rubles (Book VIII, III).

The heart itself teaches delicacy and dignity

From "The Idiot" (1868).

Children in schools are a merciless people, individually they are angels of God, but together, especially in schools, they are very often merciless

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Staff Captain Snegirev in a conversation with Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov. The staff captain says that children began to tease his son Ilya at school after Dmitry Fedorovich Karamazov (brother of Alexei Karamazov) publicly insulted the staff captain (book IV, VII).

For a woman, the only way not to lose her beauty even in old age is to maintain clarity of spirit, freshness of impressions and honest, pure warmth of heart

From Crime and Punishment (1866).

A fool who admits that he is a fool is no longer a fool!

From “The Humiliated and Insulted” (1861).

Single villainy is permissible if the main goal is good

From Crime and Punishment (1866).

If it were mathematically proven that the truth is outside of Christ, then I would agree to stay with Christ rather than with the truth

From "The Possessed" (1871).

If you start a rebellion in Russia, then you must start with atheism

From "The Possessed" (1871).

If you want to conquer the whole world, conquer yourself

From "The Possessed" (1871).

There is a silent and long-suffering grief among the people; it withdraws into itself and is silent. But there is also grief that is torn: it breaks out once in tears and from that moment disappears into lamentations. This is especially true for women. But it is no easier than silent grief.

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). About the grief of a woman who came to Elder Zosima for advice and help (book II, III).

There are strange friendships: both friends almost want to eat each other, they live like this all their lives, and yet they cannot part.

From "The Possessed" (1871).

There are people for whom clean underwear is even indecent, sir

From "The Possessed" (1871).

There are moments when people love crime

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov in a conversation with Liza Khokhlakova (book XI, III).

There are three forces, the only three forces on earth that can forever defeat and captivate the conscience of these weak rebels, for their happiness - these forces: miracle, mystery and authority.

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). The words of the Inquisitor in a conversation with Jesus, who came to earth, from the poem “The Grand Inquisitor”, written by Ivan Fedorovich Karamazov.

Pathetic words must be forgiven, of course. Pathetic words comfort the soul... without them, grief would be too heavy for people

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Thoughts of Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov during his farewell to the deceased Elder Zosima. Alexey Karamazov thinks about what Grushenka (Agrafena Aleksandrovna Svetlova) will do, who threatened to kill her offender, but abandoned this idea out of repentance (book VII, IV).

Marry someone else's sins

From "The Possessed" (1871).

A woman will deceive the all-seeing eye itself

From "The Possessed" (1871).

A woman is always a woman, even if she is a nun

From "The Possessed" (1871).

Live more

From "The Possessed" (1871).

A beast can never be as cruel as a man, so artistically, so artistically cruel

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Ivan Fedorovich Karamazov in a conversation with his brother Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov. Ivan shared with his brother his thoughts about the cruelty of man (book V, IV).

Generations are created from teenagers...

From "The Teenager" (1875).

A hundred rabbits will never make a horse, a hundred suspicions will never make a proof.

From Crime and Punishment (1866), with reference to an English proverb.

Truly great people must feel great sadness in the world

From Crime and Punishment (1866).

All nervous speakers who deliberately seek strictly defined frameworks in order to restrain their own impatient enthusiasm are very fond of resorting to the historical method of presentation.

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). About the prosecutor's indictment in court on the accusation of Dmitry Fedorovich Karamazov (the eldest of the brothers) of the murder of his father Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov (book XII, IX).

How good life is when you do something good and true!

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov (the youngest of the Karamazov brothers) from a conversation with the boys at Ilyusha’s funeral (Epilogue, III).

What terrible tragedies realism inflicts on people!

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). The words of Dmitry Fedorovich Karamazov, when he, having been looking for the merchant Lyagavy for a long time to resolve an important issue with him, found the merchant very drunk (Book VIII, II).

When a girl’s heart feels sorry, then, of course, this is the most dangerous thing for her. Here you will certainly want to “save”, and bring to reason, and resurrect, and call to more noble goals, and revive to a new life and activity

From Crime and Punishment (1866).

Whom you fear, you do not despise

From "The Idiot" (1868).

Beauty is not only a terrible, but also a mysterious thing. Here the devil fights with God, and the battlefield is the hearts of people.

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Dmitry Fedorovich Karamazov (the eldest of the brothers) in a conversation with Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov (younger brother), book III, III.

Beauty is a mystery

From "The Idiot" (1868).

Beauty will save the world

From "The Idiot" (1868).

He who is strong and strong in mind and spirit is the ruler over people!

From Crime and Punishment (1866).

He who loves people loves them with joy

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). The words of Elder Zosima, which Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov remembered during his farewell to the deceased elder (Book VII, IV).

He who has no ground under him does not have God.

From "The Idiot" (1868).

Whoever loses connections with his land loses his gods, that is, all his goals

From "The Possessed" (1871).

Lackey of someone else's thought

From Crime and Punishment (1866).

Lackey thoughts

From "The Possessed" (1871).

He who lies to himself and listens to his own lies reaches such a point that he no longer discerns any truth either in himself or around him, and therefore begins to disrespect both himself and others.

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Elder Zosima addressed to Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov (book II, II).

I love humanity, but I am amazed at myself: the more I love humanity in general, the less I love people in particular, that is, separately, as individuals

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). The words of one person quoted by Elder Zosima in a conversation with a landowner (book II, IV).

Active love is work and endurance

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Elder Zosima addressed to the landowner (book II, IV).

Love buys everything, saves everything

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Elder Zosima addressed to a woman who has committed a sinful act (book II, III).

People are created to torment each other

From "The Idiot" (1868).

Little things, little things matter!..

From Crime and Punishment (1866).

Worldly science, having united into great power, dismantled everything that was bequeathed to us in the books of the heavenly saints, and after a cruel analysis, the scientists of this world had absolutely nothing left of all the former shrines. But they took it apart piece by piece and looked at the whole.

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Father Paisius in a conversation with Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov about faith in God and science. This conversation took place before Alexei Karamazov left the monastery for secular life (Book IV, I).

You always meet monks more often than common sense

From "The Possessed" (1871).

We are broad, Karamazov-like natures, capable of containing all sorts of opposites and contemplating both abysses at once, the abyss above us, the abyss of the highest ideals, and the abyss below us, the abyss of the lowest and most fetid fall.

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of the prosecutor in court, accusing Dmitry Fedorovich Karamazov (the eldest of the brothers) of murdering his father Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov (book XII, VI).

The impudence of naivety

From "The Idiot" (1868).

Every person needs to be able to go somewhere

From Crime and Punishment (1866).

The real truth is always implausible

From "The Possessed" (1871).

Real, undeniable grief can sometimes make even a phenomenally frivolous person solid and persistent, at least for a short time

From "The Possessed" (1871).

Do not be afraid of the sin of people, love a person even in his sin, for this similarity of divine love is the height of love on earth

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Elder Zosima from his conversations and teachings recorded by Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov (book VI, III).

Russia will not, and never has had, such haters, envious people, slanderers and even outright enemies as all these Slavic tribes, as soon as Russia liberates them, and Europe agrees to recognize them as liberated!

From the Writer's Diary, November 1877. Chapter two. III. One very special word about the Slavs that I have long wanted to say.

It is impossible to even imagine all the shame and moral degradation with which a jealous person is able to live without any remorse.

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). From the author’s thoughts about the jealousy of Dmitry Fedorovich Karamazov, who loved Grushenka and is jealous of her for her father Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov (book VIII, III).

Only the necessary is needed

From "The Possessed" (1871).

Any public scandalous turmoil amuses the Russian person beyond measure.

From "The Possessed" (1871).

There is nothing in the world more difficult than straightforwardness, and nothing easier than flattery.

From Crime and Punishment (1866).

There is nothing more intolerable when a person is unhappy, and then a hundred friends show him how stupid he has been

From "The Possessed" (1871).

There is nothing more seductive for a person than freedom of conscience, but there is nothing more painful

There is nothing stronger than a uniform

From "The Possessed" (1871).

No, the man is wide, too wide, I would narrow it down.

There is nothing higher, and stronger, and healthier, and more useful for life in the future, than some good memory, and especially one taken from childhood, from the parental home

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words by Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov (the youngest of the Karamazov brothers) from a speech at the stone at Ilyusha’s funeral. In this speech, Alexei Karamazov addresses the boys, Ilyusha’s friends (Epilogue, III).

Not being surprised by anything is a sign of great intelligence

From "The Idiot" (1868).

It takes a truly great person to be able to resist even common sense.

From "The Possessed" (1871).

Nowadays, almost all people with abilities are terribly afraid of being funny and therefore unhappy

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov in a conversation with schoolboy Kolya Krasotkin (book X, VI).

One reptile eats another reptile

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words by Ivan Fedorovich Karamazov about the conflict between his brother Dmitry Fedorovich Karamazov and his father Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov. Ivan Karamazov despises both (book III, IX).

The salvation of Rus' is from the people

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Elder Zosima (Book VI, III).

You can still love your neighbor in the abstract, and even sometimes from a distance, but almost never up close.

We really don’t like to pay, but we really love to receive, and this applies to everything

Convince four members of the circle to kill the fifth, under the guise that he will inform, and immediately you will tie them all together with shed blood, as if in one knot.

From "The Possessed" (1871).

To be mean, to be mean to the end

From "The Idiot" (1868).

Show a Russian schoolchild a map of the starry sky, about which he had no idea until then, and tomorrow he will return this map to you corrected.

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of a German who lived in Russia, cited by Alexey Fedorovich Karamazov in a conversation with schoolboy Kolya Krasotkin (book X, VI).

Understanding freedom as the increase and quick satisfaction of needs, they distort their nature, because they give rise to many meaningless and stupid desires, habits and the most absurd inventions.

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Elder Zosima (Book VI, III).

Ask a commoner to do something for you, and he, if he can and wants, will serve you diligently and cordially; but ask him to go get some vodka - and the usual calm cordiality suddenly turns into some kind of hasty, joyful helpfulness, almost into a kindred concern for you

From "The Possessed" (1871).

Only those who have no wit speak the truth

From "The Idiot" (1868).

Justice and earthly execution facilitate the execution of nature, they are even necessary for the soul of a criminal

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words from the prosecutor's indictment in court, accusing Dmitry Fedorovich Karamazov (the eldest of the brothers) of murdering his father Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov (book XII, IX).

Before the church alone, a modern criminal is able to admit his guilt, and not so much before the state

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Elder Zosima from a conversation about the role of church and state (book II, V).

Loyal as seven hundred poodles

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Dmitry Fedorovich Karamazov at the trial about the testimony of Gregory and about the servant Pavel Smerdyakov (Book XII, II).

Until you truly become everyone's brother, brotherhood will not come. People, no matter how much science or any benefit, will ever be able to harmlessly divide themselves in their property and their rights. Everything will be not enough for everyone, and everyone will grumble, envy and destroy each other.

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of the Mysterious Visitor in a conversation with Elder Zosima (Book VI, II).

Russia is too great a misunderstanding for us to resolve it alone, without the Germans and without difficulty

From "The Possessed" (1871).

Russian people are generally broad people, broad as their land, and extremely prone to the fantastic, to the disorderly.

From Crime and Punishment (1866).

Russian atheism never went further than a pun

From "The Possessed" (1871).

The Russian liberal is first and foremost a lackey and is only looking to clean someone’s boots.

From "The Possessed" (1871).

The Russian court is not only punishment, but also the salvation of a person who has died!

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words from the speech of Fetyukovich's defender (lawyer) in court, on charges of Dmitry Fedorovich Karamazov (the eldest of the brothers) with the murder of his father Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov (book XII, XIII).

The Russian guy needs to be flogged

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov in a conversation with his sons. Fyodor Karamazov speaks about his servant Smerdyakov (book III, VIII).

The best evasion for a criminal is not to hide, if possible, what may not be hidden

From Crime and Punishment (1866).

The highest artistic talents can be the worst scoundrels

From "The Possessed" (1871).

The boots are in any case better than Pushkin

From “Mr. Shchedrin, or the split in the nihilists” (1864).

Should the light fail, or should I not drink tea?

From “Notes from Underground” (1864).

Humility is a terrible force

From "The Idiot" (1868).

Love humility is a terrible force, the strongest of all, the like of which there is nothing

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Elder Zosima from his conversations and teachings recorded by Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov (book VI, III).

Humble yourself and look for the truth in yourself

From the list of favorite quotes by actress F.G. Ranevskaya

If you lie, you will reach the truth!

"Crime and Punishment" (1866).

A Christian socialist is worse than an atheist socialist

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words by Pyotr Alexandrovich Miusov (book II, V).

Strangeness and eccentricity are more likely to harm than to give the right to attention, especially when everyone strives to unite particulars and find at least some common sense in the general confusion

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). The writer writes about Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov (From the author).

Concealed

The word that F.M. Dostoevsky introduced into use.

The secret of human existence is not only in living, but in why to live

This is our modern Russian man: he won’t even dare to cheat without permission, he has loved the truth so much...

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of the devil in a conversation with Ivan Fedorovich Karamazov (the devil seemed to Ivan’s sick imagination) (book XI, IX).

Am I a trembling creature or do I have the right?

From Crime and Punishment (1866).

Just to live, live and live! No matter how you live - just live!

From Crime and Punishment (1866).

It's hard to change gods

From "The Possessed" (1871).

A coward is one who is afraid and runs; and whoever is afraid and does not run is not a coward

From "The Idiot" (1868).

I have money - an accessory, heat of the soul, furnishings

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words by Dmitry Fedorovich Karamazov (the eldest of the brothers) in a conversation with Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov (the younger brother). Dmitry Karamazov talks about his attitude towards money and women (book III, IV).

Here in Russia, if two intelligent people, who are not yet very familiar with each other, but, so to speak, mutually respect each other, come together, then for a whole half hour they cannot find a topic for conversation - they become numb in front of each other, sit and mutually are embarrassed

From Crime and Punishment (1866).

Here in Russia, a whole abyss of people do what they do most vehemently and with particular annoyance, like flies in summer, attacking other people’s impracticalities, blaming everyone for it, except themselves.

From "The Possessed" (1871).

Those have Hamlets, but we still have Karamazovs!

Run away from lies, all lies, lies to yourself especially.

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Elder Zosima addressed to the landowner (book II, IV).

Humiliated and insulted

From “The Humiliated and Insulted” (1861).

The cunning man must be brought down with the simplest things

From Crime and Punishment (1866)

The goal of the entire national movement, in every nation and in every period of its existence, is the only search for God, one’s own God, certainly one’s own, and faith in Him as the only true one.

From "The Possessed" (1871).

Man was made to be a rebel; can rebels be happy?

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Ivan Fedorovich Karamazov in a conversation with his brother Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov. The brothers discuss the poem The Inquisitor, written by Ivan. Ivan says that humanity originated from Adam, who, in fact, was a rebel, since he violated the prohibition of God and ate the forbidden fruit (Book V, V).

Man seeks not so much God as miracles

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words by Ivan Fedorovich Karamazov from the book “The Grand Inquisitor” he wrote, which he read to his brother Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov (book V, V “The Grand Inquisitor”). In Ivan Karamazov’s book, these words are spoken by the Grand Inquisitor in a conversation with Jesus.

A man with money is a man everywhere

In addition to happiness, a person also needs unhappiness just as precisely and in exactly the same amount!

From "The Possessed" (1871).

The poorer and lower our Russian man is, the more this splendid truth is noticeable in him, for many of the rich kulaks and world-eaters have already been corrupted, and many, many have come from our negligence and carelessness!

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Elder Zosima (Book VI, III).

The dumber it is, the clearer it is. Stupidity is short and simple, but the mind wiggles and hides. Intelligence is scoundrel, but stupidity is direct and honest.

Quote from the novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1878 – 1880). Words of Alexei Fedorovich Karamazov in a conversation with his brother Ivan Fedorovich Karamazov. Ivan shared his thoughts with his brother, and at the end of his speech he explained why he began this conversation with the phrase “you can’t start more stupidly” (Book V, III).