"Lack of originality, everywhere, all over the world, from time immemorial, has always been considered the foremost quality and the recommendation of the active, efficient and practical man..." - "The Idiot", Dostoevsky

"Do a man dirt, yourself you hurt." - "Crime and Punishment", Dostoevsky

"Nothing in this world is harder than speaking the truth, nothing easier than flattery." - "Crime and Punishment", Dostoevsky

"Listen!
if the stars are lit,
then someone must need them, of course?
then someone must want them to be there,
calling those droplets of spittle pearls?

And wheezing,
in the blizzards of midday dust,
he rushes to God,
fearing he’s out of time
and sobbing,
he kisses God’s sinewy hands,
tells Him that it’s important,
pleads to Him that the star must shine!
vowing
that he won’t survive the starless torment!
And later,
he wanders, worried,
though seemingly calm and fit,
and tells somebody:
“Finally, nothing can
frighten you,
right?!”
Listen!
if the stars are lit,
then someone must really need them?
then it is essential
that at least one star
alights
over the rooftops each night?!" - "Listen!", Vladimir Mayakovsky