Beauty Quote by Fyodor Dostoevsky
““Is it true, prince, that you once declared that "beauty would save the world"? Great Heaven! The prince says that beauty saves the world! And I declare that he only has such playful ideas because he's in love! Gentlemen, the prince is in love. I guessed it the moment he came in. Don't blush, prince; you make me sorry for you. What beauty saves the world? Colia told me that you are a zealous Christian; is it so? Colia says you call yourself a Christian.' The prince regarded him attentively, but said nothing.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky, 1869
The passage satizes the naive belief that love or beauty alone can redeem a corrupt world, highlighting the tension between idealism and harsh reality.
In simple terms: Beauty and love cannot simply fix everything.
Beware of simplistic solutions.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- political discourse
- religious debate
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Can love truly change society?
- What are the limits of idealism?
The quote may romanticize love, ignoring systemic issues.