The Russian Short Story

Well, well, the more a human creature has tasted of bitter things the more it hungers after the sweet things of life

“God will forgive you!” said he. “Maybe I am a hundred times worse than you.” And at these words his heart grew light, and the longing for home left him. He no longer had any desire to leave the prison, but only hoped for his last hour to come.

noise outside, so I hid the knife in your bag and escaped out of the window

I meant to kill you too, but I heard a

you have no need to kill me; you killed me long ago!

The Aksionovs are rich, though their father is in Siberia: a sinner like ourselves, it seems!

It seems that only God can know the truth; it is to Him alone we must appeal, and from Him alone expect mercy.

noblest in letters feels when tasting

"What wretches all you men are! I'd burn you all in an oven; I'd cut you in pieces. If any one of you was dying I'd spit in his mouth, and not pity him a bit. Mean skunks! You wheedle and wheedle, you wag your tails like cringing dogs, and we fools give ourselves up to you, and it's all up with us! Immediately you trample us underfoot… Miserable loafers"

Well, well, the mind of a hungry man is always better nourished and healthier than the mind of the well-fed man; and there you have a situation from which you may draw a very ingenious conclusion in favour of the ill fed.