Divorced Quote by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
““what matters most, it all produces an unpleasant impression, for we are all divorced from life, we are all cripples, every one of us, more or less. We are so divorced from it that we feel at once a sort of loathing for real life, and so cannot bear to be reminded of it. Why, we have come almost to looking upon real life as an effort, almost as hard work, and we are all privately agreed that it is better in books. And why do we fuss and fume sometimes? Why are we perverse and ask for something else? We don't know what ourselves. It would be the worse for us if our petulant prayers were answered. Come, try, give any one of us, for instance, a little more independence, untie our hands, widen the spheres of our activity, relax the control and we ... yes I assure you... should be begging to be under control again at once.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, 1866
The speaker laments humanity’s alienation from authentic life, preferring books, yet paradoxically seeks freedom from control.
In simple terms: People feel disconnected from real life, preferring fiction, yet fear true independence.
Key Takeaway
Embrace real experiences despite discomfort.
Themes
existentialism
alienation
freedom
illusion
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- creative work
- social critique
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
psychological conflict
search for meaning
Questions to Reflect On
- What does true independence look like?
- How can we balance reality and imagination?
A Different Perspective
Freedom can feel overwhelming without guidance.
![“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)
