“Man is unhappy because he doesn't know he's happy; only because of that. It's everything, everything, Whoever learns will at once immediately become happy, that same moment..."And when did you find out that you were so happy?""Last week, on Tuesday, no, Wednesday, because it was Wednesday by then, in the night.""And what was the occasion?""I don't remember, just so; I was pacing the room...it makes no difference. I stopped my clock, it was two thirty-seven.""As an emblem that time should stop?"Kirillov did not reply."They're not good," he suddenly began again, "because they don't know they're good. When they find out, they won't violate the girl. They must find out that they're good, then they'll all become good at once, all, to a man."Well, you did find out, so you must be good?""I am good.""With that I agree, incidentally," Stavrogin muttered frowningly."He who teaches that all are good, will end the world.""He who taught it was crucified.""He will come, and his name is the man-god.""The God-man?""The man-god--that's the whole difference.""Can it be you who lights the icon lamp?""Yes, I lit it.""You've become a believer?""The old woman likes the icon lamp...she's busy today," Kirillov muttered. "But you don't pray yet?""I pray to everything. See, there's a spider crawling on the wall, I look and am thankful to it for crawling."His eyes lit up again. He kept looking straight at Stavrogin, his gaze firm and unflinching. Stavrogin watched him frowningly and squeamishly, but there was no mockery in his eyes."I bet when I come the next time you'll already believe in God," he said, getting up and grabbing his hat."Why?" Kirillov also rose."If you found out that you believe in God, you would believe; but since you don't know yet that you believe in God, you don't believe," Nikolai Vsevolodovich grinned.”
Analysis of Quote from Fyodor Dostoyevsky
In this passage, Fyodor Dostoyevsky explores the theme of self-awareness leading to happiness. Kirillov believes that man is unhappy because he is unaware of his own happiness. He claims that once a person learns that they are happy, they will become happy instantaneously. This idea suggests that happiness is a state of mind that can be achieved through self-realization. Kirillov's conversation with Stavrogin delves into the notion of goodness and the connection between self-awareness and belief in a higher power. Stavrogin challenges Kirillov's beliefs, hinting at the complexity and ambiguity of human nature and spirituality. This conversation underscores Dostoyevsky's exploration of existential and philosophical themes in his works.
Modern Relevance of Dostoyevsky's Dialogue
In this powerful dialogue from Fyodor Dostoyevsky's novel, the characters discuss the concept of happiness, faith, and self-awareness. The idea that true happiness comes from self-realization and belief is still relevant in today's society. This conversation delves into the complex nature of human beliefs and the search for fulfillment in life. Let's dive deeper into the themes explored in this excerpt.
Example of Usage
In this passage from Fyodor Dostoyevsky's novel, two characters discuss the concept of happiness and belief in God. Kirillov asserts that man must realize his own goodness in order to be truly happy, while Stavrogin questions his beliefs. This philosophical dialogue delves into the complexities of faith and self-discovery.
Reflection Questions:
This excerpt from Fyodor Dostoyevsky's work raises questions about happiness, belief, and self-awareness. Reflect on the following questions:
- When have you experienced a moment of sudden realization or enlightenment, like Kirillov did when he found out he was happy?
- Do you agree with Kirillov's statement that people are unhappy because they don't realize they are happy? Why or why not?
- How do you interpret the idea of becoming "good" once one realizes they are good?
- What do you think about Stavrogin's response to Kirillov's beliefs about God and belief?
- Have you ever experienced a moment where you found yourself thankful for something unexpected, like Stavrogin was with the spider crawling on the wall?
- How does this passage make you think about the concept of belief and the nature of self-awareness?
Similar quotes
“Have you seen a leaf, a leaf from a tree?""I have. ""I saw one recently, a yellow one, with some green,decayed on the edges. Blown about by the wind. When I was 10 years old, I'd close my eyes on purpose, in winter, and imagine a leaf – green, bright, with veins, and the sun shining. I'd open my eyes and not believe it, because it was so good, then I'd close them again. ""What's that, an allegory?""N-no... Why? Not an allegory, simply a leaf, one leaf. A leaf is good. Everything is good.""Everything? ""Everything. Man is unhappy because he doesn't know he's happy; only because of that. It's everything, everything! Whoever learns will at once immediately become happy, that same moment. This mother-in-law will die and the girl won't remain – everything is good. I discovered suddenly. ""And if someone dies of hunger, or someone offends and dishonors the girl – is that good? ""Good. And if someone's head get smashed in for the child's sake, that's good, too; and if it doesn't get smashed in, that's good, too. Everything is good, everything. For all those who know that everything is good. If they knew it was good with them, it would be good with them, but as long as they don't know it's good with them, it will not be good with them. That's the whole thought, the whole, there isn't any more! ""And when did you find out that you were so happy? ""Last week, on Tuesday, no, Wednesday, because it was Wednesday by then, in the night. ”
“It is said that the Messiah will come at the end of the world." "But it was not the end of the world," Grandfather said. "It was. He just did not come." "Why did he not come?" "This was the lesson we learned from everything that happened - there is no God. It took all of the hidden faces for Him to prove this to us." "What if it was a challenge of your faith?" I said. "I could not believe in a God that would challenge faith like this." "What if it was not in his power?" "I could not believe in a God that could not stop what happened." "What if it was man and not God that did all of this?" "I do not believe in man, either.”
“Maybe we shouldn't begin to stop believing in God when He starts to let go of our hand; because at that moment He begins to let go of your hand, that's the moment He's begun to believe in YOU! He says, "I believe in you, I know you can." And that's not the time to stop believing in someone, when He is believing in you. A good father knows when to let go and start believing that you can. We may not understand it at first, but after we look at ourselves and say "Wow, I'm awesome, I did that all by myself." Then we say "Thanks, dad. If you never let go of me, I would have never learned how to fly.”
“What happened today was a terrible thing, but I believe with all my heart that the Good Lord is holdin' all of us in His arms. That man don't know who we are or where we live, and he ain't gonna find out. We all need to be careful in this world, but I promise you, for every bad person on this earth there's a hundred good ones.”
“What the hell are you getting so upset about?' he asked her bewilderedly in a tone of contrive amusement. 'I thought you didn't believe in God.'I don't,' she sobbed, bursting violently into tears. 'But the God I don't believe in is a good God, a just God, a merciful God. He's not the mean and stupid God you make Him to be.'Yossarian laughed and turned her arms loose. 'Let's have a little more religious freedom between us,' he proposed obligingly. 'You don't believe in the God you want to, and I won't believe in the God I want to . Is that a deal?”