Accept suffering and achieve atonement through it — that is what you must do.
GenuineFyodor DostoevskyCrime and PunishmentPart 5, chapter 4Sonia Marmeladova
An 'extraordinary' man has the right to decide in his own conscience to overstep certain obstacles.
GenuineFyodor DostoevskyCrime and PunishmentPart 3, chapter 5Rodion Raskolnikov
I didn't kill a human being, I killed a principle!
GenuineFyodor DostoevskyCrime and PunishmentPart 3, chapter 6Rodion Raskolnikov, to himself
Go at once, this very minute, stand at the cross-roads, bow down, first kiss the earth which you have defiled, and then bow down to all the world and say to all men aloud, 'I am a murderer!'
GenuineFyodor DostoevskyCrime and PunishmentPart 5, chapter 4Sonia Marmeladova
If one wanted to crush and destroy a man entirely, to inflict on him the most terrible punishment, one need only give him work of an absolutely, completely useless and meaningless character.
GenuineFyodor DostoevskyThe House of the DeadPart 1, chapter 2 ("First Impressions")
Circulating, but not genuine
The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons.
Not found in their worksattributed to Fyodor Dostoevsky
Trust no one in whom the desire to punish is strong.
Misattributedattributed to Fyodor Dostoevsky