Looking for inspirational Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky quotes? Then you've come to the right place! Dostoyevsky is one of the most important Russian writers of all time. His novels, novellas and not least his sayings continue to inspire many people around the world more than 140 years after his death.
Here I would like to put together a collection of his most important quotes.
My please: Keep in mind that many of Dostoyevsky's quotes have been translated into English from other languages. I cannot guarantee that it is the original quote in each case. Therefore, double check them before you share them. If you like and share any of the quotes in the internet, please link this elaborately created collection. Thank you for your support!
27 valuable quotes and sayings by Dostoyevsky
Unlike other famous writers of his time, Dostoyevsky wrote Dostoyevsky almost his entire creative period under financial hardship. He only received recognition in the last 10 years of his life. He was characterized by the fact that nothing discouraged him in his faith. Just let yourself be inspired by his following quotes.
Dostoyevsky quotes 1 - 10
- "You can err with an idea, but you can't err with your heart."
- "In order to change the world, to reshape it, people must first change themselves."
- "Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart. The really great men must, I think, have great sadness on earth."
- "The second half of a man's life is made up of nothing but the habits he has acquired during the first half."
- "The soul is healed by being with children."
- "Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything, you will perceive the divine mystery in things. Once you perceive it, you will begin to comprehend it better every day. And you will come at last to love the whole world with an all-embracing love."
- "The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there and the battlefield is the heart of man."
- "Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love."
- "How joy and happiness make people beautiful."
- "Man, do not pride yourself on your superiority to the animals, for they are without sin, while you, with all your greatness, you defile the earth wherever you appear and leave an ignoble trail behind you -- and that is true, alas, for almost every one of us!"
Tip: I have also given you a separate collection of the best Animal welfare quotes compiled. Feel free to take a look!
Dostoyevsky quotes 11 - 20
- "Lying to ourselves is more deeply ingrained than lying to others."
- "To love someone means to see them as God intended them."
- "The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for."
- "There's nothing smarter than being who you are without any pretense, because no one will believe you anyway."
- "Beauty will save the world."
- "Making a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most."
- "It takes something more than intelligence to act intelligently."
- "When you love, you don't remember the offense for long."
- "It is really amazing what one ray of sunshine can do with the human soul."
- "Before you act, free yourself from doubts."
Dostoyevsky quotes 21 - 27
- "You can never learn from books what you can't see with your own eyes."
- "To love is to suffer and there can be no love otherwise."
- "Tears cleanse the heart."
- "Man is unhappy because he doesn't know he's happy; only because of that. It's everything, everything, Whoever learns will at once immediately become happy, that same moment..."
- "The best definition of man is: a being that goes on two legs and is ungrateful."
- "There is no happiness in comfort, happiness is bought with suffering."
- "Nothing in this world is harder than speaking the truth, nothing easier than flattery."
Can you think of any other quotes by Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky that are missing here? Then feel free to write your suggestions in the comments.
Frequently asked questions about Dostoyevsky
Who was Fyodor Dostoyevsky?
Feodor Dostoyevsky lived from 1821 to 1881 and is one of the most important Russian writers. He is also considered one of the most outstanding psychologists in world literature. In his works, he relentlessly takes readers on an inner journey to their own abysses and raises profound moral questions. The human soul is at the center of his books.
What must you have read by Dostoevsky?
Dostoyevsky's most famous works are "Crime and Punishment" (1866), "The Gambler" (1866), "The Idiot" (1869), "The Demons" (1871), "The Young Man" (1875) and "The Brothers Karamazov" (1880), all of which are must-reads.
What is it about Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment"?
The crime novel "Crime and Punishment" (1866) by the Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky is about a murder committed by a student who is confused by the upheavals of his time Raskolnikov. He killed an old pawnbroker in the name of supposed morality and justice and then tormented his conscience.
Use Dostoyevsky's best sayings as a personal source of inspiration!
Dostoyevsky left behind dozens of books that are now part of world literature - and mainly dealt with topics such as free will, happiness, love, suffering and poverty. I hope I have been able to inspire you with this collection of his most important sayings.
Finally, I would now like to further articles that fit Dostoyevsky's world view and should promote your personal development:
- Stopping world hunger - What everyone can do
- Why we find change too difficult
- Cruelty to animals - what is it?
- Why we should live vegan
Do you have any questions? Or can you think of other Dostoyevsky quotes that I've forgotten here? Then I'm already looking forward to your comment!
Stay inspired,
PS.: In the Quotes blog you'll find hundreds more inspiring sayings! Next, for example, take a look at the best sayings from Leo Tolstoy an.
