I have a plan-to go mad.

What if man is not really a scoundrel, man in general, I mean, the whole race of mankind-then all the rest is prejudice, simply artificial terrors and there are no barriers and it's all as it should be.

Every man has some reminiscences which he would not tell to everyone, but only to his friends.

It seems, in fact, as though the second half of a man's life is made up of nothing, but the habits he has accumulated during the first half.

I feel pity for him, and that is a poor sign of love.

I agree that two times two makes four is an excellent thing; but if we are dispensing praise, then two times two makes five is sometimes a most charming little thing as well.

I bless the rising sun each day, and, as before, my heart sings to meet it, but now I love even more its setting, its long slanting rays & the soft tender gentle memories that come with them...’ -Father Zossima