Alive Quote by Fyodor Dostoevsky
“After all, I quite naturally want to live in order to fulfill my whole capacity for living, and not in order to fulfill my reasoning capacity alone, which is no more than some one-twentieth of my capacity for living. What does reason know? It knows only what it has managed to learn (and it may never learn anything else; that isn't very reassuring, but why not admit it?), while human nature acts as a complete entity, with all that is in it, consciously or unconsciously; and though it may be wrong, it's nevertheless alive.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Crime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoevsky, 1866
Human nature encompasses more than reason; living fully means embracing all capacities, not just intellect.
In simple terms: Living fully uses all human capacities, not just reason.
Key Takeaway
Balance intellect with whole‑self experience.
Themes
philosophy
human nature
existentialism
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- creative pursuits
- emotional health
Key Concepts
reason vs. feeling
holistic living
Questions to Reflect On
- What parts of yourself are under‑used?
- How can you integrate feeling and thought?
A Different Perspective
Reason alone cannot guide a complete life.
