What do you think?" shouted Razumihin, louder than ever…
““What do you think?" shouted Razumihin, louder than ever, "you think I am attacking them for talking nonsense? Not a bit! I like them to talk nonsense. That's man's one privilege over all creation. Through error you come to the truth! I am a man because I err! You never reach any truth without making fourteen mistakes and very likely a hundred and fourteen. And a fine thing, too, in its way; but we can't even make mistakes on our own account! Talk nonsense, but talk your own nonsense, and I'll kiss you for it. To go wrong in one's own way is better than to go right in someone else's. In the first case you are a man, in the second you're no better than a bird. Truth won't escape you, but life can be cramped. There have been examples. And what are we doing now? In science, development, thought, invention, ideals, aims, liberalism, judgment, experience and everything, everything, everything, we are still in the preparatory class at school. We prefer to live on other people's ideas, it's what we are used to! Am I right, am I right?" cried Razumihin, pressing and shaking the two ladies' hands.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Making mistakes is essential to human growth; embracing personal error is more authentic than copying others.
In simple terms: Mistakes are vital for truth; own errors matter.
Key Takeaway
Own your errors, learn, and grow.
Themes
human nature
error
truth
individuality
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative work
- scientific research
- personal development
- education
Key Concepts
philosophy
existentialism
learning from mistakes
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal mistake taught you most?
- Why is originality valuable?
A Different Perspective
Blindly following others can hinder true insight.