It is not the real punishment. The only effectual one, the only deterrent and softening one, lies in the recognition of sin by conscience.

It’s not God that I don’t accept, Alyosha, only I most respectfully return him the ticket.

It suddenly seemed to me that I was lonely, that every one was forsaking me and going away from me. Of course, any one is entitled to ask who "every one" was. For though I had been living almost eight years in Petersburg I had hardly an acquaintance. But what did I want with acquaintances? I was acquainted with all Petersburg as it was.

Man has not the right to turn aside and heed not what is happening in the world around him, and this I maintain on moral grounds of the highest order.

Destroy my desires, eradicate my ideals, show me something better, and I will follow you.

Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath.

One can fall in love and still hate.