Russia1986

Himself - Host:
Mister Dostoyevsky, a short time ago you made a speech at the unveiling of the monument to Pushkin. It was a wonderful speech, it was of evident sincerity and colossal power and you said the Russia's destiny was to revitalize the world by the example of it's selflessness and the brotherly love expressed in the Orthodox Church, and people acclaimed you as a prophet, as a saint.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky:
What is sincere one moment may be suspect the next. There are times when rational people become wildly enthusiastic, and a day later they'll forget all about it.

Himself - Host:
Well, at the risk of shocking you I might say the same about Jesus Christ or his followers like Peter, Doubting Thomas?

Fyodor Dostoyevsky:
People are the same today as they were then - they hailed all sorts of insignificant hotheads as prophets. Jesus Christ is the only sure thing in an inconsistent world. We believe that because we must believe in something. It's a human need. It's a human need to be sure about at least one thing. And what better example than Jesus Christ.

Himself - Host:
[smiles] And on his own level?.. Dostoyevsky?

Fyodor Dostoyevsky:
[angry] Now you shock me!... I'm a believer, at least at this moment, as I reply to you that only the Russian people understand that suffering is the only way to future happiness. Suffering purifies everything. Every moment of happiness must be paid for in the coin of misery.

Himself - Host:
[disagrees] Well, I don't think that is entirely true.