It is easier for a Russian to become an atheist than for anyone else in the world.

The whole work of man really seems to consist in nothing but proving to himself every minute that he is a man and not a piano key.

Even if we are occupied with important things and even if we attain honour or fall into misfortune, still let us remember how good it once was here, when we were all together united by a good and kind feeling which made us perhaps better than we are.

Intelligence alone is not nearly enough when it comes to acting wisely.

Your hand is cold, mine burns like fire. How blind you are, Nastenka!

I never have frustrations. The reason is to wit: Of at first I don't succeed, I quit!

What can become of him if he is in such bondage to the habit of satisfying the innumerable desires he has created for himself? He is isolated, and what concern has he with the rest of humanity? They have succeeded in accumulating a greater mass of objects, but the joy in the world has grown less.