Commit Quote by Fyodor Dostoevsky
“All people seem to be divided into'ordinary'and 'extraordinary'. The ordinary people must lead a life of strict obedience and have no right to transgress the law because?theyare ordinary.Whereas the extraordinary people have the right to commit any crime they like and transgress the law in any way just because they happen to be extraordinary.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Idiot, 1869
A critique of the belief that extraordinary individuals are exempt from moral law, while ordinary people must obey strictly.
In simple terms: Extraordinary people shouldn't be above the law.
Key Takeaway
Question moral double standards.
Themes
ethics
law
social hierarchy
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- legal debates
- political activism
- education
- leadership
Key Concepts
justice
power
exceptionalism
Questions to Reflect On
- Is greatness a license for lawbreaking?
- How do societies enforce equality?
A Different Perspective
Might justify abuse of power.
