Divine truth Quote by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
![“In place of the clear and rigid ancient law, You [oh Lord] made man decide about good and evil for himself, with no other guidance than Your example. But did it never occur to You that man would disregard Your example, even question it, as well as Your truth, when he was subjected to so fearful a…” quote by Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f94/fyodor-dostoyevsky-94_divine-truth_in-place-of-the-clear-and-rigid-ancient_1250768.jpg)
““In place of the clear and rigid ancient law, You [oh Lord] made man decide about good and evil for himself, with no other guidance than Your example. But did it never occur to You that man would disregard Your example, even question it, as well as Your truth, when he was subjected to so fearful a burden as freedom of choice?””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Brothers Karamazov, 1880
Man is given freedom to choose good or evil, yet often ignores divine example, burdened by the weight of choice.
In simple terms: Freedom brings moral responsibility and doubt.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the burden of free will.
Themes
philosophy
theology
free will
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal decision making
- ethical dilemmas
- spiritual reflection
Key Concepts
existentialism
moral autonomy
Questions to Reflect On
- What guides your choices without clear guidance?
- How do you cope with the anxiety of freedom?
A Different Perspective
Freedom can lead to paralysis or moral relativism.
![“FORMA PAUPERIS. [Latin] In the character of a poor person --a method by which a litigant without money for lawyers is considerately permitted to lose his case. When Adam long ago in Cupid's awful court (For Cupid ruled ere Adam was invented) Sued for Eve's favor, says an ancient law report, He…” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cdc/ambrose-bierce-140_long-ago_forma-pauperis-latin-in-the-character-of_2764039.jpg)
![“Women [in ancient Rome] were condemned to the perpetual tutelage of parents, husbands, or guardians; a sex created to please and obey was never supposed to have attained the age of reason and experience. Such, at least, was the stern and haughty spirit of the ancient law . . .” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b7f/edward-gibbon-710_age_women-in-ancient-rome-were-condemned-to_2414906.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)
