Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart. The really great men must, I think, have great sadness on earth.
Fyodor DostoevskyRead
The most pressing question on the problem of faith is whether a man as a civilized being can believe in the divinity of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, for therein rests the whole of our faith.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote explores the conflict between civilization and faith in Jesus Christ.
Fyodor Dostoevsky's quote addresses a fundamental tension between human civilization and religious belief, particularly the belief in Jesus Christ as divine. It highlights that the essence of faith rests on the acceptance of this divinity, which raises critical questions about the nature of belief in a modern, civilized context.
Themes
FaithDivinityCivilizationBeliefJesus Christ
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the relevance of religion in modern society.
More from Fyodor Dostoevsky
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Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything, you will perceive the divine mystery in things. Once you perceive it, you will begin to comprehend it better every day. And you will come at last to love the whole world with an all-embracing love.
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But do you understand, I cry to him, do you understand that if you have the guillotine in the forefront, and with such glee, it's for the sole reason that cutting heads off is the easiest thing, and having an idea is difficult!
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...to return to their 'native soil,' as they say, to the bosom, so to speak, of their mother earth, like frightened children, yearning to fall asleep on the withered bosom of their decrepit mother, and to sleep there for ever, only to escape the horrors that terrify them.
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