Fyodor Dostoevsky quotes

1821–1881 · Moscow, Russia

• And yet I think man will never renounce real suffering, that is, destruction and chaos. Why, suffering is the sole origin of consciousness.

• For know, dear ones, that every one of us is undoubtedly responsible for all men and everything on earth, not merely through the general sinfulness of creation, but each one personally for all mankind and every individual man.

• Above all, don’t lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to such a pass that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others.

• …for love in action is a harsh and dreadful thing compared with love in dreams.

• I maintain that it is the suffering of being unable to love.

• Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart.