“Try and set yourself the task not to think of a white bear, and the cursed thing comes to mind every minute.”

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Meaning

The quote points out a common mental effect: trying to avoid a thought can make it harder to stop thinking about it. It uses the example of a white bear to show how attention can be pulled toward exactly what you want to ignore. The wording suggests frustration with how the mind resists direct commands.

When It Was Said

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Who It Was Said To

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Historical Context

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Source

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Original Language & Translation

Originally said in English.

Did They Really Say It?

No source found on Wikiquote; the quote is listed as attributed to Fyodor Dostoyevsky.

Did You Know?

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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.

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