The Harder You Try, The Worse It Gets - The Philosophy of Fyodor Dostoevsky

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In this video, we explore the life, work, and philosophy of novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky. Specifically, we look into Dostoevsky's views of what it means to suffer, desire happiness, live morally, and define and strive toward these goals in the modern, Western world.
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[@PursuitofWonder]

As always, thank you for watching. Consider checking out my book here: www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6XPPNJY

[@priyakulkarni9583]

“The harder you try the worse it gets” NOT TRUE ! False statement to begin with

[@mariclakandzorra8806]

P

[@graywarden8340]

I absolutely loved the music choice. Do you have the names of the tracks you used? especially the last one when reading the story from "The Idiots"? Great vid.

[@ReligionAndMaterialismDebunked]

:3 🔥🔥🔥🔥Reminds me of Lex Friedman.

[@PGY2000]

What music do you use in the background? I’d love to know what that last organ piece is if possible.

[@josechirinos6134]

"Your worst sin is that you have destroyed and betrayed yourself for nothing". Fyodor Dostoyevsky

[@martini1591]

Man that's something

[@snakey934Snakeybakey]

Which book?

[@josechirinos6134]

@@snakey934Snakeybakey Crime and Punishment

[@adnan7698]

Dostoevsky didn't say this. I mean, Raskolnikov did(which is not the same thing) in crime and punishment, to a girl that he was kinda angry at and was trying to belittle. The context is really important. Still a soul stirring quote tho.

[@josechirinos6134]

@@adnan7698 I think we would say that Dostoyevsky speak through his books. And this quote has life by itself. Tough your point of view is valid too

[@MustangWarrior07]

"We often chase things we don't want and we dread things we truly want" hits hard

[@bsdpowa]

damn

[@dhhsjsnedj]

can you interpret it please

[@majoshit732]

lmao what that's just not true

[@Spaghetto9699]

If it doesn't make sense to you, consider it like this: we chase money, not because we want it, but because with money we can enjoy different aspects to living. What we truly want is good living, and to achieve good living could be as simple as spending more time to furnish and clean your home. We dread chores, but at the end of the day we want to live in a nice home. You can see money as a way to achieve this goal, but it's not the solution at the end of the day. By chasing money to replace your home bit by bit, your home loses the love and feeling that it originally had, and simply becomes an end to your days spent working. By taking care of what you have, you find greater appreciation and love in your home, this is the goal that you strive for, the happiness and joy that can't be found by chasing riches and greatness, and is found in the humble act of maintenance and care.

[@cowscradle1247]

I perceived this as putting your goals to the side and following the masses. Let’s say you want to be a good runner but no one else does. Your first perception of your goal is you will be lonely on that path and it would take a lot of work and is therefore dreaded. So you follow the majority for comfort.

[@toughenupfluffy7294]

“Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart. The really great men must, I think, have great sadness on earth.”

[@spacejunky4380]

Sadly many of family members where extreme intelligent and had mental illnesses. I fall into slumps too. I think it's something that comes with it... being caught inside of your own mind is a prison you can create for yourself unless you find a way out of it. Music helps me. Playing music helps a lot. I can express my emotions and let them go. It's cathartic

[@Danuxsy]

this is not true, you can be intelligent and have no self awareness at all, this is indeed quite common. People like Fyodor is an exception to this.

[@spacejunky4380]

@@Danuxsy intelligence is one of wishy washy things. It's pretty subjective unless it's blatantly obvious some is stupid and sometimes people are. I destroyed a relationship one time because I got depressed or something happened that triggered me to lose my humor. I couldn't take a joke. And destroyed my relationship with a girl who, many ways, out of my league. Now I'm trying to get back to where I was at before we met and shit just never seems to be as good. I already knew I need therapy.... but I'm praying I meet someone

[@Psecter]

@@spacejunky4380 although i can sympathize with you in meeting other people, i don't think these should all be blamed onto "being intelligent" some are just unfortunate things to have happened in an unfortunate time, i don't think blaming it all on one thing will solve your problem, dissecting all the things you've caused yourself is a great idea but you should learn from them not dwell on the past that has already well.. passed, it's hard to move on from the past that's why you focus on the present because right now is the best time to change for the better.

[@AudioGardenSlave123]

@@Danuxsy Ignore the intelligence aspect and take the deep heart only and it's acceptable. It's also acceptable for large intelligence but only for those who have a strong moral consciousness along with it. There are many smart EVIL people who are quite miserable (you can tell just by looking at them), but even their own misery is a far off concept for them because they learn to suppress moral self consciousness in order to keep living. Intelligent people with deep hearts are indeed always going to be miserable on earth. Stop nitpicking

[@ryanjavierortega8513]

“You’re damned if ya do, you’re damned if ya don’t.” - Fyodor Dostoevsky

[@DenkyManner]

"Too shy, shy, hush-hush, eye to eye." - Fyodor Dostoevsky

[@cristianm7097]

The shibu-shibu japanese concept (reluctant).

[@mielenalkemiaa]

Rather to live with the regret of doing than not doing, so might aswell do it.

[@Dunge0n]

Then damn it all.

[@casse1458]

My saying

[@arrabellagelera1372]

"Man only likes to count his troubles; he doesn't calculate his happiness" - Dostoevsky

[@journalsfromdavid]

very very true

[@bhatkat]

Yes, life has become much better now that I have shut this down and turned it around. Appreciative awareness is my thing now, about taking oneself to task an looking at all sides of things. Stoicism speaks to this.

[@dickharry910]

So true.

[@EasternOrthodox101]

🤺☦🇷🇺Our Dostoyevsky was a true Russian - he supported the Czar and the Church and was a devout Orthodox Christian 🛳🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺

[@zeebest1004]

Wise people do. I do!!

[@betterchapter]

“Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.” ― Fyodor Dostoevsky

[@codingbreak8032]

Thanks for this

[@rickrolled3666]

Yo 🔥kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJWtapWpg5x9d9k.

[@kayo5011]

“Above all, do not lie to yourself. A man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point where he does not discern any truth either in himself or anywhere around him, and thus falls into disrespect towards himself and others. Not respecting anyone, he ceases to love, and having no love, he gives himself up to the passions and coarse pleasures, in order to occupy and amuse himself, and in his vices reaches complete bestiality, and it all comes from lying continually to others and to himself." The entire quote is more haunting

[@kck-kck879]

@@kayo5011 Well, probably because it's true.

[@haroldi.6450]

This is true... unfortunately for me. Hope others dont make the same mistakes. Even writing this down Im not even sure if I meant this from the heart

[@just_ray2185]

It is better to be unhappy and know the worst, than to be happy in a fool's paradise. -Fyodor Dostoevsky

[@TheArtofEngineering]

No brain no pain. -Lunatic Painter

[@valmid5069]

*"The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations, the new needs friends...Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere”* -Ratatouille

[@klasta2167]

That failed artist from Austria

[@fresh_dood]

"But how can you live and have no story to tell?" -Fyodor Dostoevsky

[@to2burger]

Wow, I’ve never thought about life this way before, thank you for the quote! Do you know what book/writing this is from?

[@fresh_dood]

@@to2burger It's from White Nights, one of his short stories. I read it in a compilation. Good read

[@khreeess9321]

I hate you 😂 This is unbelievably true

[@cristianm7097]

Just vegetate, be a spineless life form floating on the sea.

[@agsheuehd]

My job interviewer be like :

[@nabieladrian]

It's really ironic that even now we have instant communication with the world, it's all literature from ages ago that guides us instead.

[@sir_humpy]

our internal animalistic drives haven't changed much: love, lust, hatred, ambition, ego, need for belonging... cool modern tools just mean we can indulge in them differently

[@khizzard_069]

@@sir_humpy perfectly written ✨

[@lazar2949]

Well because most people are just stupid, and that probably includes you and me. Having instant access to everything just means having instant access to almost all of the bullshit around us, which is like 90% of information. Every question has one true answer and then infinite amount of wrong ones.

[@Cangurul0921]

Literature from ages because nowadays tiktok and instagram are not too inspiring...

[@Scubadog_]

if not for the instant communication, i possibly wouldn't even be aware this literature exists.

[@shirinakter5435]

If a man has conscience, he will suffer for his mistakes - Fyodor Dostoevsky.

[@ck.7343]

I once read a comment, that still stays with me. It is not about the harder you try, it is more about the negativity you put into it. Some people do nothing and it gets worse, some do something and they feel great. It is about the energy, if you want something REALLY REALLY BAD, you kind of put negative energy in it and push it away from you, f. e. when you really want someone and then the person can sense your desperation and kind of feels to pressured. Or when you really really want a job and then you feel to insecure and anxious, so the boss won’t choose you because your lack of confidence. I think it’s about the energy, when you really want a good grade, put in the effort and the good energy (staying calm), then you will get it eventually. But if you let negativity run you, I think you push thinks away. So have hope, and trust. Be optimistic.

[@nameisntimportant749]

Nicely put. The attitude matters a lot. For example being able to see the reason behind your suffering can make it that much tolerable, and all it really is just an attitude shift

[@soleilove]

agree

[@sbi65]

I think you'd really like a movie called taste of cherry by Abbas Kiarostami. Be optimistic is something one of the characters says to our protagonist. How a simple mulberry tree changed him.

[@Pro_GameMaster888]

This...this comment right here...is what I need. To stop being so negative. I'll admit I blamed people most of the time whenever things don't go right, but is it really their fault? I learn that I should be blaming myself for spreading that negativity upon others that instead of taking my frustration out on others, instead I should be listening to myself asking, "What went wrong?" In life, I accept the fact that we'll always run into pessimism from every corner that it's not we're unlucky of always encountering it, but rather it's us who have failed to overcome it.

[@crazypato3752]

Good summary

[@aquamarine9568]

Crime and Punishment describes guilt better than any book I have ever read. It is also one of the greatest books written.

[@Splinter-ge9pf]

It's one of the only books I enjoyed in high school

[@raskolnikov1461]

@@Splinter-ge9pf To be honest 5 novels are mad! I really struggle to pick one. I mean Notes from The Underground is so like easy yet deep. It gets to you as a book you can’t forget.

[@johnnykilonzo2103]

Indeed , most of our guilt comes from our rationalization that what we are doing are for the better of ourselves then we do it and realize our parents were right, the church was right and in that guilt we see our true selves

[@jeromedevecais2751]

Bible best book

[@Splinter-ge9pf]

@@jeromedevecais2751 bible is the best selling fiction novel!

[@fintanbochra]

Another certified hood classic

[@jhill.7216]

Now that’s what I’m talking about!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 right on!!!

[@fintanbochra]

@@jhill.7216 - Rock with your boy!

[@Benni777]

Fyodor is an OG!! 🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@rickrolled3666]

Yo 🔥kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJWtapWpg5x9d9k.

[@sauceman5337]

Lmao

[@sebastiandaoust7836]

Sometimes when you’re chasing something you will get lost in the chase. When you finally end up achieving your goal it will feel empty and you won’t even know why you did it. I feel like I’m always looking for that missing piece that will make me whole when no such piece exists. You have to come to terms with yourself and with life, which might never happen.

[@alizakhalid1499]

Agreed

[@LiveFaustDieJung]

Thrill is in the hunt.

[@DeflatingAtheism]

The old aphorism about the dog chasing the car, and not knowing what to do when he catches it.

[@jimmyw7537]

Fyodor Dostoevsky - 'Your worst sin is that you have destroyed and betrayed yourself for nothing"

[@lschwaier]

Because I am still alive, I am not destroyed.. but have betrayed myself and been on path to destruction

[@ghostriley5632]

Once I asked an old man who he was, then he replied: "I'm nobody or nothing". At that time I didn't get what he meant by that but now I realize what he meant.

[@LuisSierra42]

enlightenment

[@strafer8764]

Or he is somebody or everything

[@carl4243]

Fun fact: Dostoevsky is one of franz kafka's inspiration and influences in writing his books.

[@gen-zeke-8571]

I like him.

[@andrewternet8370]

Fun fact: Dostoevsky is one of Nietzsche's inspirations and influences in writing his books.

[@bluntweirdo]

fun fact: dostoevsky created the colonel sanders chicken recipe

[@PolishBehemoth]

Fun fact: Literally nobody cares about what you think is fun or a fact about Dostoevsky or anybody

[@carl4243]

@@PolishBehemoth Fun fact: Nobody asked about your opinion 🙂

[@Unknowledgeable1]

As I sit here pondering the words of Fyodor Dostoevsky, I am struck by the profundity of his philosophy. The idea that the harder you try, the worse it gets is one that has resonated with me on many occasions. I have experienced firsthand the feeling of putting in all my effort and still falling short. It can be disheartening, but it is in these moments that we must remind ourselves of the importance of perseverance. Dostoevsky believed that the struggle itself was what gave life meaning. It is through our struggles that we grow and become stronger individuals. When we are faced with obstacles, we have a choice: to give up or to keep going. It is easy to give up when things get tough, but it is in pushing through that we develop resilience and determination. The road to success is rarely a smooth one. There will be setbacks, failures, and moments of doubt. But it is those who are willing to persist through the challenges who ultimately achieve greatness. So, when faced with the daunting task of achieving our goals, let us remember the words of Dostoevsky and embrace the struggle. For it is through the struggle that we discover our true strength and potential.

[@falloutboy691]

A fellow Berserk enthusiast.

[@deannal.newton9772]

So are we just better off not trying then?

[@tylerchambers6246]

@@deannal.newton9772 You'd be happier if you didn't try. But some of us are not content to live like ignorant cows chomping grass all day every day. And a happiness like that is not the same as fulfillment.

[@deannal.newton9772]

@@tylerchambers6246 Fair point, but most of the time I don't really think about it too much because it would give me a headache.

[@agniveer5006]

This sounds ai generated

[@lauraanne5175]

"beauty is going to save the world" -Dostoevsky

[@jack-9108]

Its so freeing to know that it will always be like this, that you will always struggle and find things that make you feel bad. The times when you think you are truly happy will not last forever, they might even be as short as a single second. However in the end whatever it is that you experience, it is the unbelievably craziest thing that such can exist. Life is the most there is.

[@journalsfromdavid]

life is really trippy 😂😂😂, But we'll all be good

[@underthesea713]

“Life is the most there is.” 😭 beautiful

[@IAmNotHereDontPercieveMe]

Truer words 🙏🏽❤️

[@user-gf6wp1nf1l]

Yea they are low life’s

[@steveroman3729]

If you believe this is all life is and then it's over, I feel really bad for you. I wish you could have seen what I have, to have the courage and experience something greater than ourselves. It is both terrifying and amazing at the same time.

[@FelixSkura]

The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.

[@hunnybadger442]

Unless that self is simply not allowed

[@yaloluyanda791]

- Rudyard Kipling

[@ifyourepeatalieoftenenough8500]

Not sure if this is normal, but i have always struggled to follow the majority if i did not agree with their actions or opinions even if it meant i was all alone. I am used to be alone but i can not get used to their selfishness using devices to forcing you into a life you do not want.

[@dzemperator]

Dostoevsky was not an individualist in any way

[@skatesatgod-fusion2619]

@@ifyourepeatalieoftenenough8500 I am the same way. To be honest I didn't think there were others who were also like me in this regard? Its a little reassuring to know that I'm not the only one who feels this way. I have never fit in anywhere, and I probably won't ever. Its lonely but the alternative is much worse; to just give in to the demands of the world at the cost of your own self and personal life.

[@yum8666]

Here is what I have learned from Crime and Punishment. We are all bound by these chains in life that make us uncomfortable, and so we break them to be free of suffering. But what if freedom is empty? What if what's beyond this rock that we are tied to is ultimately a hell far worse than the one we suffered in those chains? at least when we are suffering morality, relationships, people, and society we aren't doing it alone. But if you take that step and break all those chains, what are you without them? Maybe what we suffer is what gives our life context.

[@NN-cc8uo]

Dang, this is literally the plot of attack on titan

[@yum8666]

@@NN-cc8uo Lmao. At the time I was reading this book I was really into Aot. Both stories kinda bounced off of each other in terms of themes, and my interpretations of both were influenced by the other. Also Dune has a lot of similarities to Aot as well.

[@mnemonicpie]

nice thought buddy.

[@ImiriAgami22]

Welcome to the void.. :)

[@The_Average_YouTube_Enjoyer]

Freedom is empty, it is called death.

[@uncledolan9228]

The ending of the last story really resonated with me. When life is 'good' we quickly become accustomed to this feeling and sooner rather than later our drive to make progress sets in again, giving us that feeling of dissatisfaction. It's only when we are afraid to lose something that we can truly appreciate it's value again. The biggest example for this is life itself. Like the character in the story, when faced with death we all would feel this overwhelming sense of beauty and goodness in this world because our evolutionary sense to survive takes over. Sadly, if the character in the story were to survive he would be happy and relieved at first, probably sticking to his promises for a few days, weeks or maybe even months. But it would be impossible to maintain this appreciation for life permanently. At last the need for progress would overshadow the satisfaction again and he would end up in a similar state of mind to that before the execution. It's fascinating how this way we are 'programmed' is sad and amazing at the same time. Because of it we can never be truly, unconditionally happy for long no matter what we achieve but it's also this same drive that's responsible for us not living in caves anymore but in this modern luxury. I guess we just have to accept that life is never really 'completed' and that it isn't one specific goal in life that matters but rather the general presence of desires that get replaced once we fulfill them.

[@benjetoscar]

I got the inkling that Dostoevsky told us about what he felt when the mock punishment happened to him, in that sense I would imagine Dostoevsky made good on his promises.

[@ShakeDiceAndKissIt24]

I think the only way to combat this is to practice gratitude and mindfulness everyday

[@mech4byte]

What you said is very interesting! What you said, and I agree and often tell this to everyone I speak with, is that we do not have full control of ourselves. We in fact have very little to no control. No god influences our nature, no human influences our nature, no amount of reasoning can influence us if we do not truly believe it and we believe it because life/nature influences us! He feels amazed by life because nature/life wants him to stay alive and continue the species. On the other hand nature/life will make him feel bad if he does not "progress" which is rather useless in a larger scale, why? Well whats wrong with living in caves? What good did it bring to reach the point we are at now? A bird, cat, cow is far happier than us, you know why? cause they have no self awareness. Life/nature in its core is just suffering in order to achieve something that does not matter.

[@kayoray]

Look up the chinese saying what is the key to happiness "Chop wood, carry water." When you focus on becoming more efficent in each tiny motion in your daily tasks you will find happiness.🤓

[@ReadyF0RHeady]

True words my friend

[@ReeseGotNxt]

This was something I was literally just thinking. It seems like the more you try the more stress and anxiety I have. Not only that, i'm a deep thinker, and I also noticed thinking too much causes a lot of my anxiety. Should I counter this by thinking less even tho critical thinking is essential???? Should I try less, or do things with little to no effort??? But than I won't be as efficient. It just feels like this is the universes way of keeping us contained, or boxed in for whatever reason...

[@fakename3208]

That’s the opposite from what I’ve experienced. The less I try the more my problems pile up and anxiety increases. Ruminating is pretty much anxiety in action so yea overthinking is bad. If you want to actively think you should instead write. Get it out of your head otherwise you will just swirl around in circles.

[@niktoten]

At the moment, i feel like it is important to ask ourselves questions. For example: why do i believe, that critical thinking is essential? Is it mine believe? Or was it implanted in me, so i dont really know for myself, what it truly means? Another example: is it important (in my life, which is only mine and no one elses) to be effective? Or is it something other people wants me to be, even if they themselves dont really know why they want it from me. Seems to me like life is full of paradoxes and questions and we dont really understand anything. First step might be to not think we do understand. There might be no second step.

[@revenger211]

I don't know. From my prespective, not trying means that something isn't the main focus in my head but I still work hard at it. Say you have to keep up grades at school while also wanting to enjoy a hobby. I'd not have studying as the center of my life but rather just another thing I have to do, while I have my focus and thinking put into the hobby I love and care about. That's how I see it I guess.

[@andresacosta6005]

I recommend reading The Power of Now, i notice im way too much in my head and think about many things through out the day. This book has helped me quiet my mind when i need too

[@bobbybushwhacker]

@@revenger211 that's it right there, still go forth and do, but don't focus so hard on the desired outcome, just do and let be what it is.. your stress will remain low and you can attack the tasks with a clearer mind, therfore being more successful

[@alanhehe4508]

"Just as the lotus flower needs mud to grow, humans need suffering. It is the mud in which the spirit grows." --Thich Nhat Hanh.(aka Thay).

[@dickharry910]

Dostoyevsky and Buddha had come to same realization in different times, that suffering is fundamental in life. I love your work man. Thanks!

[@EasternOrthodox101]

🤺☦🇷🇺Buddha just copied from the true God. Our Dostoyevsky was a true Russian - he supported the Czar and the Church and was a devout Orthodox Christian 🛳🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺

[@kumorikaigarzlmlni7518]

@@EasternOrthodox101 "Our Dostoyevsky was a true Russian" Yes, he was a true comrade indeed.

[@EasternOrthodox101]

@@kumorikaigarzlmlni7518 He was a Russian Orthodox and a monarchist - that is the original Russian identity, that is what distinguish him and his work from the others

[@Leon_George]

Lionboy here sounds quite fanatical, and he should be proud of Dostoyevsky, but the concept of "carrying your cross" let's say has been present in Judeo-Christianity for some time before Buddha, let's not forget.

[@dickharry910]

@@Leon_George Buddha was present around 6th Century BC. Regardless of who was first, it's the message that is paramount.

[@firebird-im8qy]

Interesting fact, the famous phrase "with great power comes great responsibility," although typically is only attributed to Spider Man's uncle was said by Dostoevsky first. "I tell you, that great power necessitates great responsibility."

[@jacobmontana9860]

to whom much is given, much will be required - Luke 12:48

[@Akkodha.]

i mean it definitely predates whoever is quoted with it, because it isn’t a particularly difficult conclusion to come to and is obviously true

[@Unknown17]

The corollary to "stop trying so hard" is "stop caring so much." I worked for a company where it seemed like I was coming into conflict with people much more often than with any job I had ever had. It took me awhile to realize that these conflicts were happening because I genuinely CARED more about the job and the product than anyone else. Once I realized that all the "care about the customer" and "care about the product" and "care about the team" stuff I was hearing was all a bunch of crap, I just "pretend-cared" like everyone else. Just "shined it on," as they say. Before long, everybody loved me. Damn shame it had to be that way. But I "made an adjustment with my own self-interests at heart." Dostoevsky would have been proud of me. I heard an expression once that suited that company perfectly: "Sincerity is the most important commodity to the customer. And once you've learned to fake THAT, you've got it made!"

[@Charles_Anthony]

Yep, you're spot on. The fastest way I learned to defuse an angry customer was to sympathize with them and genuinely feel their pain. It would go from the person being legitimately pissed off to them actually shifting their anger elsewhere if it didn't vanish entirely.

[@TheGabrielPT]

I read Notes from Underground a couple years ago, it's one of my favorite books ever. The psychological depth and relatability of the character's vents are something I had never read before... It's the only book I've read from Fyodor so far, I wanna get into the big ones in the near future

[@munjarez1721]

bruh I highly recommend The Double and White Nights, you will not go wrong with those two

[@franzisyan3907]

I would recommed "demons" and "the brothers Karamasow" - they are my favorite books of dostoevsky

[@EricHrahsel]

The brother karamsiomfjfkdo

[@Leo-mr1qz]

"Crime and Punishment" was my favorite. That was the first one I read. "The idiot" is good, as well. I'm currently reading "Demons, or The Devils," on and off. It's not as intriguing, but is quite relevant for the political chaos we're in as a society, currently. "The Bothers K," is good, better than "The Devils," in my opinion."

[@franzisyan3907]

@@Leo-mr1qz I loved Crime an Punishment as well, it is also one of my favorite books. To be onest, I had the on and off thing with the Idiot, while I couldn't stop reading demons :D but I also liked the Idiot, so my conclusion is, that the five "big books" of Dostoevsky are all books that we could recommend :D

[@shakugan73]

“Becoming what you fear” feels especially salient. We often fear whatever embodies power. So when we seek to improve our lot in life, we may leverage that exact strategy of power that we’ve been so fixated on. All the while calling ourselves “the little guy” or the “lesser evil”

[@scionofdorn9101]

Oddly, Dave Mustaine of Megadeth wrote in one of his songs: “Don't remember where I was I realized life was a game The more seriously I took things The harder the rules became I had no idea what it'd cost My life passed before my eyes I found out how little I accomplished All my plans denied” That’s always stuck with me, and I think it mirrors Dostoevsky. The harder you try, the more you struggle and fight with life instead of simply accepting it and making the best of your circumstances, right now, in the moment, the harder it gets to endure and appreciate, the higher the price it demands from you. It’s not unwise to plan and think ahead, but one must never forget that no matter what, the future, YOUR future is going to be whatever it is when it happens, JUST LIKE right now. Right NOW is yesterday’s future. Make the best of it because tomorrow it will be yesterday. RIGHT NOW is your life happening. Make the most of it while you can. Yesterday is gone, at best a lesson learned, a good or bad moment remembered. Tomorrow is whatever it becomes. Be ready to accept that, even if it’s not what you expected. ESPECIALLY if it’s not what you hoped or planned for, because if you let that change of plans drag you down, make you take it things too seriously, the game WILL get harder.

[@eegleweege]

That's my favourite Megadeth song. I'm glad to see it being appreciated

[@urpapi6969]

couldnt agree more sir

[@wurmholewizrdree3475]

best Megadeth album too I reckon

[@snakey934Snakeybakey]

This man wrote my biography before I was born. To those of you who haven't yet read any of this man's works I highly recommend.

[@hytrader3241]

thanks, gotta give it a try

[@SarahMJordan]

This comment convinced me to check out his work.

[@Henrysmith537]

Same haha

[@johnnykilonzo2103]

True to dat. Everything I have experienced so far in my young adulthood this writer already lived it and knew it

[@aureliano_37]

Yeah, I can probably say the same about me and The Idiot or Notes from the Underground...

[@ReynaSingh]

Understanding the true cause of suffering is the only way to truly resolve it

[@sm87112]

you never resolve it, you only dance with it

[@mihirshrestha6652]

Amen

[@kubasniak]

You can never resolve it. Only learn to cope.

[@allseeingotto2912]

Not being in a relationship is a good way to ease suffering.

[@severinassiekstele247]

@@allseeingotto2912 I am considering to find someone close...

[@rickabr123]

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” ― C.S. Lewis

[@dbapple]

First then you need to try everything, which is impossible, due to our lifespan

[@mnemonicpie]

dude, it's a brilliant brief explanation of the FD's work. The redemption part especially. Watched it ten times or more already.

[@MrTehRave]

One of the very few channels that consistently puts out incredible quality, never missing a step. It's amazing how much you've grown. I remember when you only had a few dozen thousand subs. It's encouraging to know quality and perserverence eventually means success.

[@kellyman1919]

Perfect timing as always. Going through some dumb shit at work that aligns with this properly. The harder I try at work the less I feel like I accomplish

[@khokh699]

Me too man, and it really affects the trajectory of your life

[@centurion6378]

Let it go

[@boratsagdiyev522]

U like weed?

[@Tryingtoget]

Same, bro.

[@dogtown1ewok]

"There is only one thing that I dread: not to be worthy of my sufferings.”

[@Litvagopnik]

Fydor is the first non-fiction author I read, and it’s a gift and a curse knowing his writings. The Dostoevsky Complex is around us all time.

[@matiasalucema629]

Is he non-fiction though?

[@revv2490]

He's not non fiction at all lol

[@tylergooden2183]

Yea everything he wrote was basically facts. He was an incredible historian, especially when he followed those brothers around their whole lives.

[@ellie698]

Non fiction? He only wrote fiction 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@hichopoch4960]

"For my part, I have merely carried to extremes in my life that you have not dared to carry even half-way, and in addition, you have mistaken your cowardice for common sense and found comfort in that, deceiving yourselves. so that as a matter of fact, I seem to be more alive than you" -Fyodor Dostoyevsky (Notes From the Underground)

[@WardofSquid]

How profound

[@bevanthejevan1915]

You mean "The Underground Man."

[@hichopoch4960]

@@bevanthejevan1915 Excuse me?

[@bevanthejevan1915]

@@hichopoch4960 The character is saying that. But, the author obviously wrote it.

[@hichopoch4960]

@@bevanthejevan1915 So I credited the Author not the character, what are you implying here, I don't seem to understand.

[@laniakeas92]

The secret of succeeding in everything is to put your brain in 'passive mode' Despite its' name it's considered to be a "state of flow" and pure creativity. You turn off some functions of your neocortex which is responsible for overthinking that forces you to make mistakes. Creativity comes from another region of brain

[@kazutorbruh2555]

Dont u mean the "flow state"?

[@abdullaholawale4937]

Your storytelling and explanation is sooo good! First time I’m grasping the ideas in Dostoevsky’s books. Thank you sm!!

[@bec4913]

You don’t need to try hard it’s all inside of you

[@boratsagdiyev522]

What u mean dawg?

[@notjakegyllenhaal]

This is such a great summary of his philosophy. Rarely have I seen anyone else break down his work and fundamental ideas so concisely, and in such an understandable and entertaining fashion. Thank you for the wonderful video!

[@mr.chicken7888]

I understand so well, I’ve been struggling a lot mentally lately and this actually just made me start crying tears of joy while eating breakfast. Thank you

[@johnnycanadiana1897]

"You tried your best and failed miserably. The lesson is... never try." -Homer (Simpson)

[@pascal72ify]

??? Please explain that one - must be a joke?

[@chillociraptor5007]

That redemption section gets me every damn time man. The pacing of the passage. The timing of the music. And the underlying message. Wow. I love coming back to this video. Superb closing to this dissection of Fyodor. Bravo.

[@Benni777]

I used to live in such a nihilistic viewpoint: “that nothing mattered, including me, so what does it matter what I do?” And there was a time where I was PURELY an optimist: “EVERYTHING IS FINE IM OK, IM HAPPY!!!”(toxic positivity) Now, as I’ve grown older, I consider myself an “optimistic nihilist:” yeah, some things may not matter, but make sure you enjoy he things that “don’t matter;” or the “people who may not matter.” Bc we only have one life; yeah that’s repeated so many times, but it’s true. We need to have some sort of realism in our lives, but we can’t be so obsessed with technology, science, and reasoning; too much reasoning can make someone mad and depressed. Here has to be some sense of unknowing ness; something that IS illogical, no matter how much the nihilistic side of me waists to debate how I should ONLY think logically. Besides, thinking only in a logical sense is very draining. But also thinking only optimistically is also draining. So, thats why I choose a little of both.

[@homerlol9058]

I love this insight, especially as someone who had to be logical at everything it certainly made me miserable, until I stopped to take everything so seriously, it has been a drastic change for the better

[@Benni777]

@@homerlol9058 same!! I was honestly miserable when I was BOTH a strict Optimist, and a strict Nihilist. Like, life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but it’s certainly not ALL doom and gloom and nothing matters. I’m also NOT saying it was easy to find this happy medium. Some days I am still gloomy, even depressed. Being an Optimistic Nihilist still means that I have rough days. But there are happy days too. And I don’t take those for granted, like I did when I was a staunch Nihilist. Keep working at life, it does not need to be perfect and this is not the perfect way to live. I’m just explaining what my philosophy at life is, so as to help others who are at either side of the spectrum of how they view life, or if they don’t even know where they stand (which I’ve definitely felt, too). ☺️

[@Ronnied74]

Amen to that!!

[@legamaxx2752]

Existentialism ftw

[@simarbaggac-2025]

@@Benni777 check out terence mckenna

[@jeffgilleese6332]

I said about 15 years ago. "If you want to show someone true hell, give them a never ending heaven." Or something like that. It was a while ago I said it. Lol It means that people suffer ever worsening boredom when they have everything they could ever want all the time. We have the ability now to make virtual worlds in any way we see fit in video games. We don't even have to abide by our laws of physics in these worlds. Yet what do we create with this freedom? The most popular games are war and horror based. Same can be said for books and movies. When we are giving the power to be free of our suffering, we instead create suffering just so we can try to end it. When ever we don't have any problems. To solve, we create them.

[@Mat-wz3gq]

Thank you! I am a game developer - struggling with the reasoning of why I actually create these virtual worlds. And that's exactly what 'I' needed to hear today :)

[@chazzat3113]

Got it bang on there, absolutely amazing

[@jonas6120]

Very Kierkegaardian as well :D

[@jeffgilleese6332]

Those that seek to become God, desire a loss of purpose. If you can do anything and already know everything, then you can not do anything at all. A problem that requires absolutely no effort to solve can not by definition be a problem. You can not learn what you already know.

[@danielkreider7065]

That's what governments do!

[@bluestrife28]

This really got me to think, I’ve been so aimless and lost, I look at how beautiful things are and immediately fear their loss. That few paragraphs you read from the story had more meaning to me rn than maybe anything I’ve ever read .

[@one_step_sideways]

You should go to an Orthodox Christian church near you and get a copy of the Law of God from Seraphim Slobodskoy or read it online (preferably with illustrations)

[@rahulisgreat4911]

My brain is not matured enough to understand all this Still i would like to thank you for introducing me to such a person and his writings I will come back to this video after some time and try to understand this more 20/3/23

[@lynn7969]

Let me see how it goes

[@lschwaier]

Learn to understand this now.. for it may be to late for you in the future

[@_kikizaman_]

You’re clearly very mature already, you’re self aware and able to admit your flaws. I’m impressed.

[@rahulisgreat4911]

@@lschwaier true, I will do my level best

[@rahulisgreat4911]

@@_kikizaman_ thanks man

[@jaybat1184]

I love you man honestly. And everyone on this thread is amazing for having such open hearts and minds you all make this world a bit more tolerable for me, I just can’t thank you enough, All the best, To you and yours.

[@adammorra3813]

Thank you kind sir. Do you love me too?

[@litenyng]

Yes

[@rigel436]

[@MmmMulholland]

❤

[@vwr32jeep]

I finished Notes From Underground a few weeks ago and just recently started Crime and Punishment. Awesome to see this video bringing attention to his work!

[@bokistotel]

@5:41 "Man only likes to count his troubles; he doesnt calculate his happiness". I think that is because suffering has its "end", that end is DEATH (physiological/spiritual), and the road to death is always pretty close. The "end" of happiness which is represented by utopia is a "infinite" distance from us. When you encounter your misfortune, it creates alarm systems in your brain that you are approaching the "end" (death), and naturally since you are much closer to death than utopia, I feel it is quite normal that that INTENSE events occur much more frequently and have greater impact emotionally. That is why we count them in my opinion.

[@chonkychonks9522]

Just don’t see death as the end but a beginning to a new life that’s how anyone religious gets over this I’m not even religious just a stranger who believes in energy cannot be create nor destroyed so the energy from ur consciousness has to go somewhere and continue on the cycle I guess you could call that spirituality kinda my first time thinking about this so don’t have a lot to say sorry

[@theallmightywhooo8799]

Man what a legendary man. Reality hit us hardest when we are the most vulnerable.

[@animeandwieardness6132]

Front row reporting!!! I love your life changing channel. You and Dr. Grande are helping me get my act together! ❤❤❤

[@johngoldsworthy7135]

Dostoyevsky understanding of the human condition and his ability to put that in writing is remarkable

[@christopherkane2842]

This guy was incredible…! He still lives today whether we know it or not.

[@CeratiGarcia]

Dostoyevsky is just wonderful, if you’re looking for more of him I 100% recommend his book “crime and punishment”. I haven’t yet finished reading it, it’s a long book, but it’s worth all the time it takes.

[@nicberry4893]

Easily in my top 5 favorite videos from this channel. I was lucky enough to have an incredible English teacher Junior year of high school where we read Crime and Punishment in our class "Crime Fiction". Reading the a book at 16, and having an incredible teacher to break down every bit of detail, changed my whole outlook on life. Sometimes I feel like it was too much insight on the human perspective at such a young age, but I am ultimately indebted to Dr. Walker. For our final essay in the class, I wrote about Porfiry Petrovich and Raskolnikov's intellectual battle and how it was akin to a sensual relationship. I broke down their first interaction with one another for so many pages!

[@maxmirambeau8702]

The dialogues between both of these characters are the most insightful and immersive I have ever read, both with incredible deep notions of the psyche yet frightening and powerful individuals.

[@bazhumke4040]

hell yeah man. i had a really similar experiences in high school with a fantastic english teacher who assigned crime and punishment, one flew over the cuckoo's nest, and animal farm all in one semester. i owe so much in my life to being exposed to that level of brilliancy at that age

[@T.Lspitz]

Every video you drop is what the kids these days call a "banger". Keep up the good work champ!

[@Chriss231100]

Great Video! I read 2 of the novels mentioned and your perspective and additional informations feeds my love for dostoevsky!

[@Und3rgroundMan]

Nothing but respect for a channel that puts the ads at the end of the video. 👏

[@johnt9645]

who else is subbed to aperture and pursuit of wonder as a package deal?

[@emZee1994]

*I've only just discovered your channel, and gone on a binge of your videos, and many of them are things I'm already familiar with. And yet I want to praise you because these are brilliantly concise and accurate summaries of complex topics. If I had seen these videos as my first introduction to these ideas I would have understood them faster. Bravo*

[@estebanrivera4786]

Your voice certainly fit the subtle eeriness of the video, and the introduction to this man's life and story, and his own storytelling, have fiercely interested me... Thank you, and please continue with your great content.

[@shubhamsaklani4054]

Watching your content for a long time i was wondering when you were gonna make a video on dostoyevsky thank you so much for introducing me and others to such intriguing information be it philosophy, fiction, anything whenever you upload a new video it makes my day❤️❤️

[@vivekvaghela2274]

Thank you so much for your efforts in making such a quality content.

[@shaunh1725]

"Thus, even if a perfect life or society in which happiness could be of a formulaic ease to everyone, humanity would rather go mad or destroy its perfect conditions than live as if it fit into a mechanical system." What a great summary of one of Dostoyevsky's viewpoints

[@ruebea7274]

I love Dostoyevsky because of his fantastic work and how deep his work is. I am also orthodox, and I LOVE philopshy and liture so it is so cool to see such a successful and influencal character in history who is also orthodox.

[@meetbhatt7435]

just bought the hidden story of every person and now this mind boggling vedio. i am truelly thankful to you for providing such thought provoking content. keep it up man u are my only hope

[@RohitKumar-el9cy]

Notes from Underground freaked me out. It is so relatable to me that its scary when I think about it. To this day I could not finish the book.

[@Patrick-Messi10]

A man of word and a man of stupendous wisdom and awe had left an unexplored knowledge for us The words of last five minutes of his life with the man in the novel ( the idiot) Permeated in my heart ❤️💕

[@GasMaskParade]

I read Crime and Punishment more than once and I believe it touched me unlike anything before.

[@ari1667]

Another masterpiece from this lovely channel

[@BlackWhite600]

It is very difficult to explain the writers like Dostoevsky but you have(Again) done a great job . . .keep it up . . .

[@boo7948]

i can relate with the title. im in a relationship (doing good now) but a while ago, i felt like i was just throwing it all away and i kept trying harder and harder pushing her further away, while not knowing what i was doing wrong. i just needed to learn how to let go, and realize some things and fix my view on love. nobody's gonna see this but just thought id write this

[@CHRISlNATOR]

I'm a 100 year old alien from outer space and this video changed my life

[@lisathomas1622]

A deep feeling man who could not overcome depression and feeling like a victim. Happiness is real and he knew it and could not figure out how he could morally pursue it. He chose misery out of deep seated anger and emotional pain.

[@whoaitstiger]

Yeah you hit the nail on the head. This guy was obviously severely depressed.

[@Jackie-wc7xk]

We're all doomed!

[@Betterthantelly]

You’ve met the previous me?!!

[@andrewternet8370]

No way, this is the man who said "Beauty will save the world". He sorted out his later life.

[@SilenceAkyn]

Dostoevsky Depression

[@Dylan-jf5tu]

I think one major issue for humans is to sieve through the banality and mundaness of life to hold onto something worth while. We are fed so much bullshit and become indoctrinated into society from an early age from schooling... But one day you may wake up, say around your late 20's and realise "what the fuck am I actually doing?" Do I actually want to do this line of work or am I doing it for someone else? Did my parents decide? Why do I act the way I do around people, how about I be honest with myself and others and that will make my life a lot easy because feeding myself societies bullshit (social hierarchies, materialism, status quo etc) is getting kind of old.

[@clumsycarl6943]

I have been that way since 28 years old and I am 31 now. I spent today in the office thinking what the f I am doing here? Feeling super disillusioned. A romantic relationship? A career? Money? The economy? Religion? What does it all really mean at the end? Endless pursuit in a finite life.

[@Kshea44ify]

@@clumsycarl6943 Dostoevsky was an Orthodox Christian. Look into it, that's what you're doing here.

[@rigel436]

Yeah youre right ,sadly not everyone is as far in wisdom

[@ChristAliveForevermore]

@Jase I'm 26 and I'm on the same path as you. Why create conscious life from your seed if it'll face the same suffering and then death as the rest of us (or worse, it'll be a vapid TikTok user)? You're right as well that if you question this flawed system, you're told to seek help because obviously there is something wrong with *you.* Perhaps there is something wrong with this world!

[@almasakic1148]

amen I quit my soulless job for this reason

[@Doesitmatter_01]

Not the impression I got from reading Dostoevsky but I can see it clear as day now. Yet another reason to love his work.

[@Wtyandell]

This video is so well-done. I love this.

[@simons.6029]

Thanks for that amazing break down of Dostoevsky's work and philosophy. I read Crime and Punishment first, then The Brothers Karamazov. Both incredible works of litterature... I have been thinking about them ever since finishing them, and I know I will read them again at some point. Currently reading The Double, because I wanted to read something from before his time in Siberia, in order to see the difference. Next, I will read Notes from Underground, The Idiot, The Adolescent and Demons.

[@nouhe3400]

This content is a work of excellence. You are amazing. You art touches me. Thank you

[@pineapplestraws329]

Dude fyodor is too much for this world I haven’t even read c&p yet but every quote of his I ever come across shakes me so deeply and adds a new dimension to it

[@nostress7431]

“ ‘Cause when you try hard that’s when you die hard” Kanye West -can’t tell me nothing

[@__VR__8]

And to this day still there are amoebas trying to depict Ye as this unstable crazy dumb rapper

[@ethano8225]

this actually helped me out, thank you

[@alessandrobarella1513]

The similarities between Schopenhauer & Dostoevsky philosophies is amazing.

[@blah8934]

Game is universal

[@SocertesGudas]

I feel this. The more I try to get my brain to chill and relax, the less chill and relax it gets. *sigh*

[@Wisdom891]

what and absolute journey that was. Thank kindly. You planted a seed this day...

[@krystofcisar469]

I couldnt agree more... Everyime I´ll start to put some real effort into something the next moment shit hits the fan.

[@Prabhu108.]

Nothing really matters, whatever I have done in my life has no worth. And you know what; I find solace in that.

[@crieverytim]

The irony of this guy doing a deep dive and thoroughly digesting the deeper aspects of a given work.... only to then hawk Blinkist. Amazing 👏

[@zmeyagosho]

I love your review. I have read "Crime and punishment", but you have put some new lite to it and new perspective. Thank you! :)

[@chinookvalley]

Ready text on a page of paper. There is nothing like good literature, holding it in your hands, letting your eyes scroll the page, finding feeling and meaning, something outside of yourself, something to make you realize life is real. At least for now.

[@xevy3493]

It's an interesting coincidence, that I recently started reading Crime and Punishment. I definitely would recommend this book to everyone. What I liked especially about it, is that main character, Raskolnikov, is really relatable and like us. It really makes you question things... Good video, I appreciate the most these videos summarizing famous philosophers and other great people.

[@chickenlover657]

The book is excellent, but Raskolnikov is only relatable if you suffer from the same faults he does.

[@vladys5238]

@@chickenlover657 I don't know, as a Christian I related to comitting a "sin" because I thought it was okay and then becoming paranoid when realising what I've done. Obviously I haven't killed anyone but the gap between the rationalisation and the shock after having done the deed was actually quite relatable to me

[@chickenlover657]

@@vladys5238 he knew it was wrong from the get go, just like all of us know right from wrong. But then he rationalized and justified doing it anyway. Of course, in order to do that he had to lie to himself. And THAT is his greatest sin. THAT is what his conscience rebelled against.

[@maddieb.4282]

@@chickenlover657I think you need to have some patience with this person who is clearly speaking English as their second or third language and they’re really trying to share their insights and perspective

[@chickenlover657]

@@maddieb.4282 What and who are you talking about?

[@el.priest6518]

Great content, as always 🙏

[@jimmyw7537]

This made me cry the other night. It's genius

[@williamcorycory7836]

Love all your stuff, you changed my entire life with your video on vibrations changing DNA about 10 years ago. I've had chills and been 10x more electrified on my conscious baseline since. Max Planck quotes and quotes of Aristotle. Your an expert orator also. Now I study material science, computational chemistry and a.i

[@jah_sama5624]

Can you share the link for this video?

[@williamcorycory7836]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGWTeXR6qtVnmKM

[@maddieb.4282]

Lmfao