“Honoured sir, poverty is not a vice, that's a true saying. Yet I know too that drunkeness is not a virtue, and that's even truer. But beggary, honoured sir, beggary is a vice. In poverty you may still retain your innate nobility of soul, but in beggary--never--no one. For beggary a man is not chased out of human society with a stick, he is swept out with a broom, so as to make it as humiliating as possible; and quite right, too, forasmuch as in beggary as I am ready to be the first to humiliate myself.”
Quote Analysis
In this quote from Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel, the character highlights a distinction between poverty and beggary. The character acknowledges that poverty is not a virtue, but points out that it is not a vice either. However, they argue that beggary is indeed a vice because it strips a person of their dignity and nobility. This distinction is crucial because it underscores the societal perceptions and treatment of individuals based on their economic status. The character's acknowledgment of the difference between poverty and beggary sheds light on the dehumanizing effects of extreme destitution and the importance of maintaining one's self-respect despite challenging circumstances.
Modern Relevance:
In this quote from Fyodor Dostoevsky, the character emphasizes the distinction between poverty and beggary, highlighting the societal stigma and humiliation associated with the latter. This distinction is still relevant in modern society, where individuals experiencing poverty may be able to maintain their dignity and sense of self-worth, while those in a state of beggary are often dehumanized and marginalized. The quote reminds us of the importance of addressing poverty in a way that preserves individuals' dignity and humanity.
Usage Example
In Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel, a character speaks about the difference between poverty and beggary, highlighting the humiliation and loss of nobility that comes with true destitution. This quote shows the author's exploration of societal attitudes towards different forms of hardship.
Reflection Questions
After reading this passage from Fyodor Dostoevsky, take a moment to reflect on the following questions:
- What do you think Dostoevsky is trying to convey about poverty, drunkenness, and beggary through this passage?
- In what ways does society treat those in poverty differently from those in beggary, according to the passage?
- How does the narrator's perspective on beggary shape his understanding of dignity and self-worth?
- Do you agree with the narrator's assertion that beggary is a vice, while poverty and drunkenness are not? Why or why not?
- How does the concept of humility play a role in the narrator's view on beggary and societal treatment of those in extreme poverty?
Similar quotes
“...poverty is not a vice, that's a true saying. Yet I know that drunkenness too is not a virtue and that's even truer. But destitution, dear sir, destitution is a vice. In poverty you may still retain your innate nobility of soul , but in destitution-never-no-one. For destitution a man is not chased out of society with a stick, he is swept out with a broom to make it as humiliating as possible; and quite right, too, for in destitution I am the first to humiliate my self.”
“Historians, and even common sense, may inform us, that, however specious these ideas of perfect equality may seem, they are really, at bottom, impracticable; and were they not so, would be extremely pernicious to human society. Render possessions ever so equal, men's different degrees of art, care, and industry will immediately break that equality. Or if you check these virtues, you reduce society to the most extreme indigence; and instead of preventing want and beggary in a few, render it unavoidable to the whole community. The most rigorous inquisition too is requisite to watch every inequality on its first appearance; and the most severe jurisdiction, to punish and redress it. But besides, that so much authority must soon degenerate into tyranny, and be exerted with great partialities; who can possibly be possessed of it, in such a situation as is here supposed? Perfect equality of possessions, destroying all subordination, weakens extremely the authority of magistracy, and must reduce all power nearly to a level, as well as property. We may conclude, therefore, that in order to establish laws for the regulation of property, we must be acquainted with the nature and situation of man; must reject appearances, which may be false, though specious; and must search for those rules, which are, on the whole, most useful and beneficial.”
“It has always been my view that terrorism is not spawned by the poverty of money; it is spawned by the poverty of dignity. Humiliation is the most underestimated force in international relations and in human relations. It is when people or nations are humiliated that they really lash out and engage in extreme violence.”
“Sir Richard sighed. "Rid yourself of the notion that I cherish any villainous designs upon your person," he said. "I imagine I might well be your father. How old are you?""I am turned seventeen.""Well, I am nearly thirty," said Sir Richard.Miss Creed worked this out. "You couldn't possibly be my father!""I am far too drunk to solve arithmetical problems. Let it suffice that I have not the slightest intention of making love to you.”
“TEIRESIAS:I tell you, king, this man, this murderer(whom you have long declared you are in search of,indicting him in threatening proclamationas murderer of Laius)- he is here.In name he is a stranger among citizensbut soon he will be shown to be a citizentrue native Theban, and he'll have no joyof the discovery: blindness for sightand beggary for riches his exchange,he shall go journeying to a foreign countrytapping his way before him with a stick.He shall be proved father and brother bothto his own children in his house; to herthat gave him birth, a son and husband both;a fellow sower in his father's bedwith that same father that he murdered.Go within, reckon that out, and if you find memistaken, say I have no skill in prophecy.”