Notes from the Underground

by Fyodor Dostoevsky

man has such a predilection for systems and abstract deductions that he is ready to distort the truth intentionally, he is ready to deny the evidence of his senses only to justify his logic.

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!

I will put up with any mockery rather than pretend that I am satisfied when I am hungry.

And let them beat me now. Let them, the ungrateful wretches! Trudolyubov will beat me hardest, he is so strong;