"At one time they used to say in the town about our circle that it was a hotbed of free-thinking, vice, and atheism; this rumor, by the way, always persisted. And yet all we did in our circle was to indulge in the most innocent, amiable, jolly typically Russian liberal chatter." (47)

"'The higher liberalism' and the 'higher liberal'—that is to say, a liberal without any aim whatever—are possible only in Russia." (47)

"Goodness only knows who they think they are—gods at least. People said about Karmazinov that his connection with high society and persons of great consequence were almost dearer to him than his own soul." (97)

"Deception will be killed. Everyone who desires supreme freedom must dare to kill himself. He who dares to kill himself has learnt the secret of the deception. Beyond that there is no freedom; that's all, and beyond...