--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And it has always been a mystery, and…" description: "\"“And it has always been a mystery, and I've marveled a thousand times at this ability of man (and, it seems, of the Russian man above all) to cherish t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db7/fyodor-dostoevsky-342_dostoevsky_and-it-has-always-been-a-mystery-and-i-v_1394502.jpg" --- # And it has always been a mystery, and I've marveled a… ![“And it has always been a mystery, and I've marveled a thousand times at this ability of man (and, it seems, of the Russian man above all) to cherish the highest ideal in his soul alongside the greatest baseness, and all that in perfect sincerity. --The Adolescent (or, The Raw Youth)” quote by Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db7/fyodor-dostoevsky-342_dostoevsky_and-it-has-always-been-a-mystery-and-i-v_1394502.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db7/fyodor-dostoevsky-342_dostoevsky_and-it-has-always-been-a-mystery-and-i-v_1394502.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db7/fyodor-dostoevsky-342_dostoevsky_and-it-has-always-been-a-mystery-and-i-v_1394502.jpg) > ““And it has always been a mystery, and I've marveled a thousand times at this ability of man (and, it seems, of the Russian man above all) to cherish the highest ideal in his soul alongside the greatest baseness, and all that in perfect sincerity. --The Adolescent (or, The Raw Youth)”” [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Man can hold lofty ideals and deep baseness simultaneously, yet remain sincere in both. **In simple terms:** People can be both noble and flawed at once. Key Takeaway Recognize and accept the duality within yourself. Themes human nature morality duality idealism baseness Mood reflective thoughtful serious Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - personal growth - leadership - ethical decision making - artistic creation Key Concepts existentialism psychology conflict Questions to Reflect On - How do you reconcile noble goals with selfish impulses? - Can sincerity bridge the gap between ideal and base? A Different Perspective Such duality can cause inner conflict and moral paralysis. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Russian literature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/russian-literature/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [The so-called new Russian man is characterized mainly by his complete exhaustion. You may find yourself wondering if he has the strength to enjoy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryszard-kapuscinski/the-so-called-new-russian-man-is-characterized-mainly-by-his-complete/) [Ryszard Kapuscinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryszard-kapuscinski/) > [At war a Russian man puts on a white shirt. 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Let only a handful of men work with these, and the whole world will be revolutionized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/perfect-sincerity-holiness-gigantic-intellect-and-all-conquering-will/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Perfect sincerity and transparency make a great part of beauty, as in dewdrops, lakes, and diamonds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/perfect-sincerity-and-transparency-make-a-great-part-of-beauty-as-in/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth; when perfect sincerity is expected, perfect freedom must be allowed; nor has anyone who is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/fear-is-not-in-the-habit-of-speaking-truth-when-perfect-sincerity-is/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [The man grinned back at me with that perfect sincerity we fear and call simple-minded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-david-roberts/the-man-grinned-back-at-me-with-that-perfect-sincerity-we-fear-and/) [Gregory David Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-david-roberts/) > [ “Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky (November 11 \[O.S. 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