Letters of Fyodor Dostoevsky to his family and friends
“I have sometimes
thought that if ever I return home, I shall get more grief than joy from my
impressions there. I have not lived your life, and much in it is unknown to me,
and indeed, no one can really know exactly his fellow-mortal's life; still,
human feeling is common to us all, and it seems to me that everyone who has
been banished must live all his past grief over again in consciousness and
memory, on his return home. It is like a balance, by which one can test the
true gravity of what one has endured, gone through, and lost. God grant you a
long life ! I have heard from many people that you are very religious. But not
because you are religious, but because I myself have learnt it and gone through
it, I want to say to you that in such moments, one does, " like dry
grass," thirst after faith, and that one finds it in the end, solely and
simply because one sees the truth more clearly when one is unhappy. I want to
say to you, about myself, that I am a child of this age, a child of unfaith and
scepticism, and probably (indeed I know it) shall remain so to the end of my
life. How dreadfully has it tormented me (and torments me even now)—this
longing for faith, which is all the stronger for the proofs I have against it.
And yet God gives me sometimes moments of perfect peace; in such moments I love
and believe that I am loved;” Quotes
Brother, my precious
friend! all is settled! I am sentenced to four years hard labor in the fortress
(I believe, of Orenburg) and after that to serve as a private. To-day, the 22nd
of December, we were taken to the Semionov Drill Ground. There the sentence of
death was read to all of us, we were told to kiss the Cross, our swords were
broken over our heads, and our last toilet was made (white shirts). Then three
were tied to the pillar for execution. I was the sixth. Three at a time were
called out; consequently, I was in the second batch and no more than a minute
was left me to live. I remembered you, brother, and all yours; during the last
minute you, you alone, were in my mind, only then I realized how I love you,
dear brother, mine! Finally the retreat was sounded, and those tied to the
pillar were led back, and it was announced to us that His Imperial Majesty
granted us our lives. . . . I have not become downhearted or low-spirited. Life
is everywhere life, life in ourselves, not in what is outside us. There will be
people near me, and to be a man among people and remain a man forever, not to
be downhearted nor to fall in whatever misfortunes may befall me — this is
life; this is the task of life. Quotes
Letters of Fyodor
Michailovitch Dostoyevsky to his family and friends.
“in such moments
I have formulated my creed, wherein all is clear and holy to me. This creed is
extremely simple; here it is: I believe that there is nothing lovelier, deeper,
more sympathetic, more rational, more manly, and more perfect than the Saviour;
I say to myself with jealous love that not only is there no one else like Him,
but that there could be no one. I would even say more: If anyone could prove to
me that Christ is outside the truth, and if the truth really did exclude
Christ, I should prefer to stay with Christ and not with truth. I would rather
not say anything more about it. And yet I don't know why certain topics may
never be touched on in society, and why, if anyone does introduce them, it
makes the others uncomfortable. Still, enough of it. I heard that you were
desirous of travelling somewhere in the South. God grant that you may succeed
in obtaining permission to do so. But will you please tell me when we shall be
quite free, or at any rate as free as other people ? Perhaps only when we no
longer need freedom ? For my part, I want all or nothing. In my soldier's
uniform I am the same prisoner as before. I rejoice greatly that I find there
is patience in my soul for quite a long time yet, that I desire no earthly
possessions, and need nothing but books, the possibility of writing, and of
being daily for a few hours alone. The last troubles me most. For almost five
years I have been constantly under surveillance, or with several other people,
and not one hour alone with myself. To be alone is a natural need, like eating
and drinking ; for in that kind of concentrated communism one becomes a
whole-hearted enemy of mankind. The constant companionship of others works like
poison or plague; and from that unendurable martyrdom I most suffered in the
last four years. There were moments in which I hated every man, whether good or
evil, and regarded him as a thief who, unpunished, was robbing me of life. The
most unbearable part is when one grows unjust, malignant, and evil, is aware of
it, even reproves one's-self, and yet has not the power to control one's-self.
I have experienced that. I am convinced that God will keep you from it. I
believe that you, as a woman, have more power to forgive and to endure. Do”
Letters of Fyodor Michailovitch Dostoyevsky to his family and friends
“My personal life is as monotonous as ever;
but they have given me permission to walk in the garden, where there are almost
seventeen trees This is a great
happiness for me. Moreover, I am given a candle in the evenings—that's my
second piece of luck. The third will be mine if you answer as soon as possible,
and send me the next number of the 0. Z. I am in the same position as a country
subscriber, and await each number as a great event, like some landed proprietor
dying of boredom in the provinces. Will you send me some historical works ?
That would be splendid. But best of all would be the Bible
(both Testaments). I need one. Should it prove
possible, send it in a French translation. But if you could add as well a Slav
edition, it would be the height of bliss. Of”
Letters of Fyodor Michailovitch Dostoyevsky to his family and friends
“December
22, 1849. To-day, the 22nd of December, we were all taken to Semionovsky
Square. There the death-sentence was read to us, we were given the Cross to
kiss, the dagger was broken over our heads, and our funeral toilet (white
shirts) was made. Then three of us were put standing before the palisades for
the execution of the death-sentence. I was sixth in the row; we were called up
by groups of three, and so I was in the second group, and had not more than a
minute to live. I thought of you, my brother, and of yours; in that last moment
you alone were in my mind; then first I learnt how very much I love you, my
beloved brother ! I had time to embrace Plechtcheyev and Dourov, who stood near
me, and to take my leave of them. Finally, retreat was sounded, those who were
bound to the palisades were brought back, and it was read to us that His
Imperial Majesty granted us our lives. Then the final sentences were recited.
Palm alone is fully pardoned. He has been transferred to the line with the same
rank. F.”
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