--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Listen,\" Kirillov stopped, gazing before…" description: "\"“Listen,\" Kirillov stopped, gazing before him with fixed, ecstatic eyes. \"Listen to a big idea: There was one day on earth, and in the middle of the ea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/824/fyodor-dostoyevsky-94_big-idea_listen-kirillov-stopped-gazing-before-hi_2394683.jpg" --- # Listen," Kirillov stopped, gazing before him with fixed… ![“Listen," Kirillov stopped, gazing before him with fixed, ecstatic eyes. "Listen to a big idea: There was one day on earth, and in the middle of the earth stood three crosses. One on a cross believed so much that he said to another: 'This day you will be with me in paradise.' They day ended, they…” quote by Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/824/fyodor-dostoyevsky-94_big-idea_listen-kirillov-stopped-gazing-before-hi_2394683.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/824/fyodor-dostoyevsky-94_big-idea_listen-kirillov-stopped-gazing-before-hi_2394683.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/824/fyodor-dostoyevsky-94_big-idea_listen-kirillov-stopped-gazing-before-hi_2394683.jpg) > ““Listen," Kirillov stopped, gazing before him with fixed, ecstatic eyes. "Listen to a big idea: There was one day on earth, and in the middle of the earth stood three crosses. One on a cross believed so much that he said to another: 'This day you will be with me in paradise.' They day ended, they both died, went, and did not find either paradise or resurrection. What had been said would not prove true. Listen: this man was the highest on all the earth, he constituted what it was to live for. Without this man the whole planet with everything on it is--madness only. There has not been one like Him before or since, not ever, even to the point of miracle. This is the miracle, that there has not been and never will be such a one. And if so, if the laws of nature did not pity even This One , did not pity even their own miracle, but made Him , too, live amidst a lie and die for a lie, then the whole planet is a lie, and stands upon a lie and a stupid mockery. Then the very laws of the planet are a lie and a devil's vaudeville. Why live then, answer me, if you're a man.”” [Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoyevsky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage questions the purpose of existence if humanity’s belief in a unique savior, and the absurdity of life without divine truth. **In simple terms:** It wonders why we live if there is no ultimate truth or miracle. Key Takeaway Contemplate the basis of your beliefs. Themes existentialism faith absurdity meaning philosophy Mood thoughtful skeptical reflective Type philosophical literary existential When to use this quote - personal crisis - theological debate - literary analysis - spiritual searching Key Concepts theodicy nihilism existential crisis moral relativism Questions to Reflect On - What gives your life meaning beyond religious narratives? - Can meaning exist without a divine figure? A Different Perspective The argument assumes a single savior defines meaning, ignoring diverse sources of purpose. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Big idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-idea/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) ## Related quotes > [“What shall we drink to, Ned? To England?" "I've a better thought than that. 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They day ended, they both died, went, and did not find either paradise or resurrection. What had been said would not prove true. Listen: this man was the highest on all the earth, he constituted what it was to live for. Without this man the whole planet with everything on it is--madness only. There has not been one like Him before or since, not ever, even to the point of miracle. This is the miracle, that there has not been and never will be such a one. And if so, if the laws of nature did not pity even This One , did not pity even their own miracle, but made Him , too, live amidst a lie and die for a lie, then the whole planet is a lie, and stands upon a lie and a stupid mockery. Then the very laws of the planet are a lie and a devil's vaudeville. 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