“As a general rule, people, even the wicked, are much more naïve and simple-hearted than we suppose.”

— Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov (1880), Part I, Book I, Ch. 1

About Fyodor Dostoevsky

1821 – 1881

Russian novelist, author of 'Crime and Punishment' and 'The Brothers Karamazov'.

“A dream! What is a dream? And is not our life a dream?”

“Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.”

“If you want to be respected by others the great thing is to respect yourself.”

“If you command wisely, you'll be obeyed cheerfully.”

“A little flesh, a little breath, and a Reason to rule all—that is myself.”

“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, but your government only when it deserves it.”

“The one duty we owe to history is to rewrite it.”

“We live in a country where the people own the Government and not in a country where the Government owns the people.”

“Where there is great power there is great responsibility.”