Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин

quotes from constance garnett's 1916 translation of demons (the possessed) by fyodor dostoevsky. automated via @gimmickbots

[Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин @DEMONS_TXT]

Kirillov was not far from him. He, too, was very silent, but he did not look at the ground; on the contrary, he scrutinised intently every speaker with his fixed, lustreless eyes, and listened to everything without the slightest emotion or surprise.

[Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин @DEMONS_TXT]

“Is it true that you declared that you saw no distinction in beauty between some brutal obscene action and any great exploit, even the sacrifice of life for the good of humanity? Is it true that you have found identical beauty, equal enjoyment, in both extremes?”

[Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин @DEMONS_TXT]

All our ladies were wild over the new visitor. They were sharply divided into two parties, one of which adored him while the other half regarded him with a hatred that was almost blood-thirsty: but both were crazy about him.

[Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин @DEMONS_TXT]

“Yes, I could not at once tear my bleeding heart from what I had grown into from childhood, on which had been lavished all the raptures of my hopes and all the tears of my hatred.… It is difficult to change gods.”

[Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин @DEMONS_TXT]

“God is the pain of the fear of death. He who will conquer pain and terror will become himself a god.”

[Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин @DEMONS_TXT]

Kirillov was not far from him. He, too, was very silent, but he did not look at the ground; on the contrary, he scrutinised intently every speaker with his fixed, lustreless eyes, and listened to everything without the slightest emotion or surprise.

[Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин @DEMONS_TXT]

“That’s just what I did do, for I wanted you to see that I implied it; I exerted myself chiefly for your sake, for I caught you and wanted to compromise you, above all I wanted to find out how far you’re afraid.”

[Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин @DEMONS_TXT]

“Is it true that you declared that you saw no distinction in beauty between some brutal obscene action and any great exploit, even the sacrifice of life for the good of humanity? Is it true that you have found identical beauty, equal enjoyment, in both extremes?”

[Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин @DEMONS_TXT]

At a duel he could face the pistol of his opponent with indifference, and could take aim and kill with brutal coolness. If anyone had slapped him in the face, I should have expected him not to challenge his assailant to a duel, but to murder him on the spot.

[Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин @DEMONS_TXT]

“He who dares kill himself is God.”

[Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин @DEMONS_TXT]

“There is a point when he ceases to be a buffoon and becomes a madman.”

[Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин @DEMONS_TXT]

“You should not be here,” Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch said to her in a caressing and melodious voice; and there was the light of an extraordinary tenderness in his eyes. He stood before her in the most respectful attitude, and every gesture showed sincere respect for her.

[Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин @DEMONS_TXT]

“The Pope shall be for the west, and you shall be for us, you shall be for us!”

[Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин @DEMONS_TXT]

...at one moment trying to walk beside his companion on the narrow brick pavement and at the next running right into the mud of the road; for Stavrogin walked in the middle of the pavement without observing that he left no room for anyone else.

[Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин @DEMONS_TXT]

“Man fears death because he loves life.”

[Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин @DEMONS_TXT]

“You are beautiful and proud as a God; you are seeking nothing for yourself, with the halo of a victim round you, ‘in hiding.’ The great thing is the legend. You’ll conquer them, you’ll have only to look, and you will conquer them.”

[Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин @DEMONS_TXT]

All our ladies were wild over the new visitor. They were sharply divided into two parties, one of which adored him while the other half regarded him with a hatred that was almost blood-thirsty: but both were crazy about him.

[Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин @DEMONS_TXT]

What he saw was almost another face. The intonation of the voice was different. Verhovensky besought, implored. He was a man from whom what was most precious was being taken or had been taken, and who was still stunned by the shock.

[Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин @DEMONS_TXT]

His articulation was wonderfully clear. His words pattered out like smooth, big grains, always well chosen, and at your service. At first this attracted one, but afterwards it became repulsive, just because of this over-distinct articulation, this string of ever-ready words.

[Николай Всеволодович Ставрогин @DEMONS_TXT]

“I don’t believe you, you’ve the appetite of a wolf!… Understand that you’ve cost me such a price, I can’t give you up now! There’s no one on earth but you! I invented you abroad; I invented it all, looking at you.”