Crime and Punishment Quotes

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1. “…all is in a man's hands and he lets it all slip from cowardice, that's an axiom. It would be interesting to know what it is men are most afraid of.” –Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov
By saying this Raskolnikov suggests that men are capable of doing whatever they wish, and the only thing that holds them back are their fears. Because of this Raskolnikov wonders what man’s greatest fear is, and with that comes the one thing that no man is capable of doing.

2. “…for though Pyotr Petrovitch has been so kind as to undertake part of the expenses of the journey, that is to say, he has taken upon himself the conveyance of our bags and big trunks.” -Pulcheria Alexandrovna Raskolnikov
This is a passage from the letter that Rodion’s mother sent to him, his mother is telling him that Dounia’s fiancé has taken care of the traveling expenses for Dounia and her mother to St. Petersburg.

3. “I see that I want nothing. Do you hear? Nothing at all . . . no one's services . . . no one's sympathy. I am by myself . . . alone. Come, that's enough. Leave me alone.” - Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov
After burying the goods he stole from the pawn broker, Raskolnikov is walking around and decides to visit his friend Razumihin. At first it is almost as if Raskolnikov planned on asking his friend for advice about what he should do about the murders he committed. However, he becomes very nervous and leaves his friend’s home as quickly as possible.

4. “Life is real! haven't I lived just now? My life has not yet died with that old woman! The Kingdom of Heaven to her--and now enough, madam, leave me in peace! Now for the reign of reason and light . . . and of will, and of strength!” –Raskolnikov
Through speaking with Marmeladov’s daughter, Polenka, Raskolnikov realizes that life is worth living, and that it can still hold an important meaning. This sheds light on the fact that Raskolnikov realizes that even if a person is not capable of doing good, their life should not be ended.

5. “Ordinary men have to live in submission, have no right to transgress the law, because, don't you see, they are ordinary. But extraordinary men have a right to commit any crime and to transgress the law in any way, just because they are extraordinary.

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