Rheea’s Reviews > The Brothers Karamazov > Status Update

"Fathers and teachers, I ponder, “What is hell?” I maintain that it is the suffering of being unable to love."

"The secret of man's being is not only to live but to have something to live for."

"It's not God that I don't accept, Alyosha, only I most respectfully return Him the ticket.”

The more I love humanity in general, the less I love man in particular. In my dreams I often make enthusiastic plans for the service of humanity, and perhaps I might actually have faced crucifixion if it had been suddenly necessary; and yet I am incapable of living in the same room with any one for two days together. As soon as any one is near me, his personality disturbs my self-complacency and restricts my freedom.

"The more I love humanity in general, the less I love man in particular. In my dreams I have often come to making enthusiastic schemes for the service of humanity, and perhaps I might actually have faced crucifixion if it had been suddenly necessary; and yet I am incapable of living in the same room with any one for two days together...the more I detest men individually the more ardent becomes my love for humanity."

Lamentatitons comfort only by lacerating the heart still more. Such grief doesn't desire consolation. It feeds on its sense of hopelessness. Lamentations spring only from the constant craving to reopen the wound.

"The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to such a pass that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love."