Atheism Quote by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
““As soon as he reflected seriously he was convinced of the existence of God and immortality, and at once he instinctively said to himself: "I want to live for immortality, and I will accept no compromise." In the same way, if he had decided that God and immortality did not exist, he would have at once become an atheist and a socialist. For socialism is not merely the labor question, it is before all things the atheistic question, the question of the form taken by atheism to-day, the question of the tower of Babel built without God, not to mount to heaven from earth but to set up heaven on earth.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Brothers Karamazov, 1880
He argues belief in God and immortality shapes moral choices, while denial leads to atheism and socialism, linking faith to ethical foundations.
In simple terms: Belief in God guides morality; denial leads to atheism.
Key Takeaway
Your worldview determines your ethical stance.
Themes
faith
morality
existentialism
Mood
thought‑provoking
serious
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- personal decision‑making
- ethical debates
- political activism
- philosophical study
Key Concepts
theology
political ideology
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you think morality can exist without belief in God?
- How does belief influence social systems?
A Different Perspective
Faith alone may not guarantee moral behavior.
![“[The Devil] 'The question now,' my young thinker reflected, 'is whether or not it is possible for such a period ever to come. If it does come, then everything will be resolved and mankind will finally be settled. But since, in view of man's inveterate stupidity, it may not be settled for another…” quote by Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f58/fyodor-dostoyevsky-94_thousand-years_the-devil-the-question-now-my-young-thin_1928098.jpg)
![“if [God] doesn't exist, man is the chief of the earth, of the universe. Magnificent! Only how is he going to be good without God?” quote by Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/09b/fyodor-dostoyevsky-94_ethics_if-god-doesn-t-exist-man-is-the-chief-of_16023.jpg)
