Decent Quote by Fyodor Dostoevsky
“Every man has some reminiscences which he would not tell to everyone, but only to his friends. He has others which he would not reveal even to his friends, but only to himself, and that in secret. But finally there are still others which a man is even afraid to tell himself, and every decent man has a considerable number of such things stored away. That is, one can even say that the more decent he is, the greater the number of such things in his mind.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky, 1866
People keep memories and thoughts at varying levels of privacy, from sharing with friends to keeping secret even from oneself, especially as moral conscience deepens.
In simple terms: We hide thoughts from others and even from ourselves, especially when we consider ourselves moral.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and examine hidden thoughts to understand yourself better.
Themes
self-awareness
morality
privacy
psychology
secrecy
Mood
introspective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
psychological
literary
When to use this quote
- personal journaling
- therapy sessions
- confiding in trusted friends
- self‑reflection exercises
Key Concepts
cognitive dissonance
inner conflict
ethical self‑evaluation
Questions to Reflect On
- What secrets do you keep from yourself?
- How does moral self‑image affect what you conceal?
A Different Perspective
Some hidden thoughts may be suppressed for psychological protection, making them hard to confront.
