I should like to know what people fear the most: whatever is contrary to their usual habits, I imagine.
You have disgraced the name of Russia, madam!” shouted the general, “and there are police for that!
And is it only a dream, that in the end man will find his joy in deeds of enlightenment and mercy alone, and not in cruel pleasures as now?
Our own humble and meek ones, fasters and keepers of silence, will arise and go forth for a great deed.
Whoever does not believe in God will not believe in the people of God. But he who believes in the people of God will also see their holiness, even if he did not believe in it at all before.
Of the eternal questions, nothing else: is there a God, is there immortality? And those who do not believe in God will talk of socialism or anarchy, of the transformation of all humanity on a new pattern, which all comes to the same thing, they’re the same questions turned inside out.
You are more needed there. There is no peace there.
And before you know it, the object disappears, arguments evaporate; no culprit is discovered, the offense ceases to be an offense and becomes a matter of fate, like the toothache which cannot be blamed on anyone, and the only thing that’s left is, once again, to bang the wall as hard as you can.
If you sin yourself and grieve even unto death for your sins or for your sudden sin, then rejoice for others, rejoice for the righteous man, rejoice that if you have sinned, he is righteous and has not sinned.
I don’t know how to be silent when my heart is speaking.
What a book the Bible is, what a miracle, what strength is given with it to man. It s like a mould cast of the world and man and human nature, everything is there, and a law for everything for all the ages. And what mysteries are solved and revealed.
People talk sometimes of bestial cruelty, but that’s a great injustice and insult to the beasts; a beast can never be so cruel as a man, so artistically cruel.
Strength, strength is what I need; nothing can be done without strength; and strength must be gained by strength.
Then I should have chosen a career for myself, I should have been a sluggard and a glutton, not a simple one, but for instance, one with sympathies for everything sublime and beautiful.
Dear friends, don’t be afraid of life! How good is life when one does something good and just!
For men are made for happiness, and any one who is completely happy has a right to say to himself, ‘I am doing God’s will on earth.’ All the righteous, all the saints, all the holy martyrs were happy.
Words are not deeds.
If they knew that they are happy, they would be happy.
Man, do not pride yourself on superiority to the animals; they are without sin, and you, with your greatness, defile the earth by your appearance on it, and leave the traces of your foulness after you – alas, it is true of almost every one of us!
You are in the grip of a desire for martyrdom and self-sacrifice; conquer this desire as well, set aside your pages and your intention – and then you will overcome everything. You will put to shame all your pride and your demon! You will win, you will attain freedom...