“ There are some people about whom it is difficult to say anything which would describe them immediately and fully in their most typical and characteristic aspects; these are the people who are usually… Fyodor Dostoyevsky
“ One of the characters in our story, Gavril Ardalionovitch Ivolgin, belonged to the other category; he belonged to the category of "much cleverer" people; though head to toe he was infected with the de… Fyodor Dostoyevsky
“ What is most vile and despicable about money is that it even confers talent. And it will do so until the end of the world. Fyodor Dostoyevsky
“ You should pass us by and forgive us our happiness, said the prince in a low voice. Fyodor Dostoyevsky
“ It is an unchristian religion, in the first place!' the prince resumed in great agitation and with excessive sharpness. 'That's in the first place, and secondly, Roman Catholicism is even worse than a… Fyodor Dostoyevsky
“ I swear to you that I am not quite such an ass as I like to appear sometimes, although I am rather an ass, I admit. Fyodor Dostoyevsky
“ Let me add, however, that in every idea of genius or in every new human idea, or, more simply still, in every serious human idea born in anyone's brain, there is something that cannot possibly be conv… Fyodor Dostoyevsky
“ Listen, Parfyon, a few moments ago you asked me a question, and this is my answer: the essence of religious feeling has nothing to do with any reasoning, or any crimes and misdemeanors or atheism; is… Fyodor Dostoyevsky
“ We degrade Providence too much by attributing our ideas to it out of annoyance at being unable to understand it. Fyodor Dostoyevsky
“ Most people, the minute they meet you, were sizing you up for some competition for resources. It was as if everyone lived in fear of a shipwreck, where only so many people would fit on the lifeboat, a… Elif Batuman
