Fyodor Dostoyevsky Quote

"Every member of the society spies on the rest,
and it is his duty to inform against them.
All are slaves and equal in their slavery...
The great thing about it is equality...
Slaves are bound to be equal."

by:	Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821-1881)
Source:	The Possessed
Rating:
Categories:	Equality, Fascism, Prison, Privacy, Slavery, Society, Duty
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I think that this quote is a very good example of how people have different points of views on each other, and this man makes it very clear that he thinks every man is equal and i think id like to add on that he is absolutely right. I also view all people as equal, no matter what color they are or appear to be. it is very shallow and ignorant to prejudge people by the color of their skin, or any physical feature for that matter, and i also feel that if one man is a slave, then we're all slaves, and if you have the nerve to beat a man and treat him like a dog because you see him as inferior regarding his color, you could just go on and beat the president of the united states because it would be almost the same thing.  -- Dejonae Davis, San Diego
A probable spin on Isaiah 3:5 concerning the latter days (And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbor) A very sad but accurate description of Socialism.  -- Mike, Norwalk      1
Indeed - a sadder and more accurate disposition of capitalism.  -- Robert, Sarasota
Not all slaves are equal... some are "more equal than others". This is not at all descriptive of either socialism or of capitalism, for in each there are those who are "more equal than others".  -- Anonymous, Reston, VA US
People are NOT equal, smart/stupid, tall/short, rich/poor, etc. Capitalism has nothing to do with equal, it has to do with profit, free market, private ownership. Slaves have masters who feel superior. Right on, Reston.  -- Joe, Rochester, MI
I agree, capitalism is not bad if people are honest and fair, unfortunately it spawns greed and that greed is converted in slavery - trust me, Capitalism under its present administration has had its day; as you can see America is crumbling under its own weight – it can no longer sustain its veracious appetite for wealth. We must get back to the basics of life and start to care for those around us and those that are our neighbors. What hypocrites we are when we discuss profit, free trade, and private ownership, and call it capitalism, a Republic, or what… and think/say “I’ve worked hard and I have the right to do what I want” No you don’t; rights are born upon those deserving respect through their compassion and kindness towards their fellow beings and all that surounds them. We usually think of corruption being the purview of third world countries but alas it is ours also – we are probably the richest third world county in the world. We must take back what belongs to the people; when capitalism and greed run bridle-less a new generation of slaves are born.  -- Robert, Sarasota
Socialism serves to destroy the world through incompetence. Capitalism does the same through competence. We are and should be equal in some ways, and not at all in other ways.  -- David L. Rosenthal
People DO have the right to do what they want, provided they don't crush the rights of others. Capitalism made America great, as the greedy stepped on all opposition, like George Pullman (railroads). Every system has its share of greed, yet most people are NOT greedy. Government assumes it can stop greed by creating laws. Law abiding citizens follow it, though they are not greedy to begin with. Criminals ignore the law and are greedy anyway, like Ken Lay (Enron), because most laws do not do what is intended. You get back to "the people" by voting democratic AND republican lawmakers out of office. Neither party will improve things. Voting the "lesser of two evils" still results in evil, which says "they voted for me, so they like what I do." I vote Libertarian to send the message, "I do NOT approve of the way you are running our country."  -- Joe, Rochester, MI
I can't tell if Dosteyevsky is being sarcastic or not. Certainly it is not our duty to spy on one another and report them to authorities. Equality applies only to mutual respect and individual rights, not equality in personal power, wealth, or intelligence.  -- E Archer, NYC
-- Anonymous
You people are all completely brainwashed and have no idea what Dostoyevsky is referring to. So sad. I'm sure he had a lot of other things to say about slave people like you.  -- Robert, Minnesota

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