--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Look, suppose that there was one among…" description: "\"“Look, suppose that there was one among all those who desire nothing but material and filthy lucre, that one, at least, is like my old Inquisitor, who ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/170/fyodor-dostoyevsky-94_freedom_look-suppose-that-there-was-one-among-al_820702.jpg" --- # Look, suppose that there was one among all those who… ![“Look, suppose that there was one among all those who desire nothing but material and filthy lucre, that one, at least, is like my old Inquisitor, who himself ate roots in the desert and raved, overcoming his flesh, in order to make himself free and perfect, but who still loved mankind all his…” quote by Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/170/fyodor-dostoyevsky-94_freedom_look-suppose-that-there-was-one-among-al_820702.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/170/fyodor-dostoyevsky-94_freedom_look-suppose-that-there-was-one-among-al_820702.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/170/fyodor-dostoyevsky-94_freedom_look-suppose-that-there-was-one-among-al_820702.jpg) > ““Look, suppose that there was one among all those who desire nothing but material and filthy lucre, that one, at least, is like my old Inquisitor, who himself ate roots in the desert and raved, overcoming his flesh, in order to make himself free and perfect, but who still loved mankind all his life, and suddenly opened his eyes and he saw that there is no great moral blessedness in achieving perfection of the will only to become convinced, at the same time, that millions of the rest of God's creatures have been set up only for mockery, that they will never be strong enough to manage their freedom, that from such pitiful rebels will never come giants to complete the tower, that it was not for such geese that the great idealist dreamt his dream of harmony.”” [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. A pursuit of perfect will and moral perfection can become detached from humanity, leading to isolation and mockery. **In simple terms:** Perfection can alienate and dehumanize. Key Takeaway Seek balance between ideals and empathy. Themes morality idealism humanity Mood thoughtful serious Type literary existential When to use this quote - personal goal setting - ethical decision making - spiritual practice - community service Key Concepts willpower spirituality existentialism Questions to Reflect On - How do you reconcile personal ideals with caring for others? - Can perfection be humane? 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