Fyodor Dostoevsky-If God did not exist

If did not exist, all things would be permitted.

is often quoted with this statement.  It comes from the ‘Brothers of Karamazov’.  Or does it?  The meaning of the is clear and powerful.  And goes along with ’s beliefs as illustrated in the ‘Brothers of Karamazov’. 

My question is did he actaully write this in or was it just the general idea,  espoused by Ivan Karamazov as he pretended that did not exisit to go ahead with his crime?  I do not read so I am curious if anyone has feed back on this.

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2 Comments on Fyodor Dostoevsky-If God did not exist»

  1. eoco said,

    March 29, 2008at 5:32 pm

    Yes, he did write it that way in Russian in the Brothers Karamazov. The quote is “Если Бога нет, то всё дозволено”.

  2. markbiernat said,

    March 30, 2008at 3:19 am

    Thanks for the feedback on the Dostoevsky quote, because I have read others say he did not. I think its one of my favorate quotes because without God, then all things are morally ok, Dostoevsky took ideas to the end to their full understanding, while many modern thinkers can not do this. Dostoevsky was a brilliant light.

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