Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Russia
11 Nov 1821 // 9 Feb 1881
Writer

A Bit of Freedom

Try an experiment and build a palace. Fit it out with marble, pictures, gold, birds of paradise, hanging gardens, all sorts of things... And step inside. Well, it may be that you would never wish to leave. Perhaps, in actual fact, you would never leave. Everything is there! �Let well enough alone!�. But suddenly - a trifle! Your castle is sorrounded by walls, and you are told: �Everything is yours! Enjoy yourself! Only, don't take a step outside!� And believe me, in that instant you will wish to quit your paradise and step over the wall. Even more! All this luxury, all this plenitude will only sharpen your suffering. You will even feel insulted as a result of all this luxury... Yes, only one thing is missing: a bit of liberty! A bit of liberty and a bit of freedom.

Fiodor Dostoievski, in 'The Stir of Liberation'
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