The fear of appearances is the first symptom of impotence. - Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment

"The darker the night, the brighter the stars, The deeper the grief, the closer is God!"

"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 sincerely."

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

"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."

"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."