Crime Quote by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
““There are moments when people love crime," Alyosha said pensively. "Yes, yes! You've spoken my own thought, they love it, they all love it, and love it always, not just at 'moments.' You know, it's as if at some point they all agreed to lie about it, and have been lying about it ever since. They all say they hate what's bad, but secretly they all love it.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, 1880
People often claim to despise wrongdoing, yet they secretly enjoy it, revealing a paradox of moral self‑deception.
In simple terms: Many claim to hate crime but secretly love it.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and confront hidden attractions to wrongdoing.
Themes
morality
selfdeception
human nature
Mood
conflicted
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- social interactions
- media consumption
- legal enforcement
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
psychology
cognitive dissonance
ethical paradox
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we hide our true feelings about wrongdoing?
- How can we align our actions with our stated morals?
A Different Perspective
People may rationalize or justify harmful behavior, making change difficult.
![“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)
