“It is better to be unhappy and know the worst, than to be happy in a fool's paradise!”

— Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Idiot (1869), Part 4, Ch. 5 (translation by Frederick Whishaw)

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.”

“Love the little trade which thou hast learned, and be content therewith.”

“Only it takes time to be happy. A lot of time. Happiness, too, is a long patience.”

“Isn't it a pleasure to study and practice what you have learned?”

“They who know the truth are not equal to those who love it, and they who love it are not equal to those who delight in it.”

“The wise find pleasure in water; the virtuous find pleasure in hills.”

“Something the heart must have to cherish, must love and joy and sorrow learn.”