Quotes by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

About Fyodor Dostoyevsky:

Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky was a Russian novelist, short story writer, essayist, journalist and philosopher. Dostoyevsky's literary works explore human psychology in the troubled political, social, and spiritual atmosphere of 19th-century Russia. Many of his works are marked by a preoccupation with Christianity, explored through the prism of the individual confronted with life's hardships and beauty.
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In wine is truth, and the truth had all come out, "that is, all the uncleanness of his coarse and envious heart"!

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Everything which is of use to mankind is honourable.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

perchè non c'è nessun altro dal quale andare! Bisogna pure che ogni uomo abbia qualche posto dove andare. Poichè ci sono momenti in cui assolutamente bisogna andare da qualche parte!

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Man is a vile creature!

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Money is the honey of humanity.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

He was one of the numerous and varied legion of dullards, of half-animated abortions, conceited, half-educated coxcombs, who attach themselves to the idea most in fashion only to vulgarize it and who caricature every cause they serve, however sincere...

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

The perpetration of a crime is accompanied by illness!

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

You see, there's a theory current you're insane, or you lean strongly in that direction.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

What if man is not really a scoundrel, man in general, I mean, the whole race of mankind-then all the rest is prejudice, simply artificial terrors and there are no barriers and it's all as it should be.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

It takes something more than intelligence to act intelligently.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Intelligence alone is not nearly enough when it comes to acting wisely.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

The first category is always the man of the present, the second the man of the future. The first preserve the world and people it, the second move the world and lead it to its goal.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

A percentage! What splendid words they have; they are so scientific, so consolatory.... Once you've said 'percentage' there's nothing more to worry about. If we had any other word... maybe we might feel more uneasy....

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Through error you come to the truth! I am a man because I err! You never reach any truth without making fourteen mistakes and very likely a hundred and fourteen.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

they may all be drunk at my place, but they're all honest, and though we do lie-because I lie, too-in the end we'll lie our way to the truth

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

The fear of appearances is the first symptom of impotence.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Indeed, in that sense we’re all rather often almost like mad people, only with the slight difference that the ‘sick’ are somewhat madder than we are, so that it’s necessary to draw a line here.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Power is given only to him who dares to stoop and take it ... one must have the courage to dare.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

I don't need you to tell me I'm not well, though I don't really know what's wrong with me; I think I'm five times healthier than you are.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Strength, strength is what I need; nothing can be done without strength; and strength must be gained by strength.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

You see I kept asking myself then: why am I so stupid that if others are stupid—and I know they are—yet I won't be wiser?

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Author Bio

  • NameFyodor Dostoyevsky
  • DescriptionRussian 19th century author
  • AliasesDostoyevsky
  • BornNovember 11, 1821
  • DiedFebruary 9, 1881
  • CountryRussian Empire
  • ProfessionTranslator; Philosopher; Poet; Novelist; Essayist; Short Story Writer; Journalist; Writer
  • WorksNotes From Underground; Crime And Punishment; The Idiot; Demons; The Brothers Karamazov; The House Of The Dead; The Gambler