“Oh, I know, I know that heart, that wild but grateful heart, gentlemen of the jury! It will bow before your mercy; it thirsts for a great and loving action, it will melt and mount upwards. There are souls which, in their limitation, blame the whole world. But subdue such a soul with mercy, show it love, and it will curse its past, for there are many good impulses in it. Such a heart will expand and see that God is merciful and that men are good and just. He will be horror-stricken; he will be crushed by remorse and the vast obligation laid upon him henceforth. And he will not say then, 'I am quits,' but will say, 'I am guilty in the sight of all men and am more unworthy than all.' With tears of penitence and poignant, tender anguish, he will exclaim: 'Others are better than I, they wanted to save me, not to ruin me!”

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About Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Russian novelist of the 19th century, Dostoyevsky is best known for his psychological depth and exploration of human suffering, morality, and redemption. His works, including *Crime and Punishment* and *The Brothers Karamazov*, dissect the complexities of the human condition with unmatched intensity.

More from Fyodor Dostoyevsky (285 quotes) →
"Oh, I know, I know that heart, that wild but grateful heart, gentleme…" — Fyodor Dostoyevsky | Daily Quotes