The meaning of conservatism is not that it impedes movement forward and upward, but that it impedes movement backwards and downwardsโto chaotic darkness and the return to a primitive state.
Nikolai BerdyaevSo great is the worth of Dostoevsky that to have produced him is by itself sufficient justification for the existence of the Russian people in the world: and he will bear witness for his country-men at the last judgement of the nations.
Nikolai BerdyaevPerhaps the saddest thing to admit is that those who rejected the Cross have to carry it, while those who welcomed it are so often engaged in crucifying others.
Nikolai BerdyaevThe World is not an idea as asserted by philosophers who have dedicated their entire lives to the exploration of ideas. First and foremost the world is passion. But passion is associated with sadness. Sadness does not only arise from death which makes us face the Eternity, but also from life which causes us to confront the Time.
Nikolai Berdyaev