---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whether I am believed or not, I will…"
description: "\"“Whether I am believed or not, I will repeat that Vladimir Soloviov, who held that Dostoevsky was a prophet, is wrong, and that N. K. Mikhailovsky, who..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a03/lev-shestov-12374_dangerous-man_whether-i-am-believed-or-not-i-will-repe_1070611.jpg"
---

#  Whether I am believed or not, I will repeat that Vladimir…

![“Whether I am believed or not, I will repeat that Vladimir Soloviov, who held that Dostoevsky was a prophet, is wrong, and that N. K. Mikhailovsky, who calls him a cruel talent and a grubber after buried treasure, is right. Dostoevsky grubs after buried treasure no doubt about that. And, therefore…” quote by Lev Shestov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a03/lev-shestov-12374_dangerous-man_whether-i-am-believed-or-not-i-will-repe_1070611.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a03/lev-shestov-12374_dangerous-man_whether-i-am-believed-or-not-i-will-repe_1070611.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a03/lev-shestov-12374_dangerous-man_whether-i-am-believed-or-not-i-will-repe_1070611.jpg)

> ““Whether I am believed or not, I will repeat that Vladimir Soloviov, who held that Dostoevsky was a prophet, is wrong, and that N. K. Mikhailovsky, who calls him a cruel talent and a grubber after buried treasure, is right. Dostoevsky grubs after buried treasure no doubt about that. And, therefore, it would be more becoming in the younger generation that still marches under the flag of pious idealism if, instead of choosing him as a spiritual leader, they avoided the old sorcerer, in whom only those gifted with great shortsightedness or lack of experience in life could fail to see the dangerous man.””

[Lev Shestov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lev-shestov/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Shestov argues that Dostoevsky is a dangerous influence, urging youth to reject his moral authority.

**In simple terms:** Reject Dostoevsky’s harmful influence.

Key Takeaway

Avoid idolizing harmful thinkers.

Themes

morality literature influence danger authority

Mood

critical skeptical

Type

philosophical analytical

When to use this quote

- academic debate
- personal moral choices
- educational curricula
- public discourse

Key Concepts

philosophical criticism literary analysis

Questions to Reflect On

- Is it wise to dismiss a writer’s value entirely?
- How do we balance criticism with appreciation?

A Different Perspective

Dostoevsky’s impact may be nuanced, not wholly negative.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Dangerous man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dangerous-man/) [Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dostoevsky/) [Dostoevsky Grubs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dostoevsky-grubs-2665476/) [Dostoevsky Prophet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dostoevsky-prophet-2665474/) [Experience In Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experience-in-life/) [Prophet Wrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prophet-wrong-2665477/) [Right Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-dostoevsky-2665475/) [Spiritual leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-leader/)

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