White Nights and Other Stories / The Novels of Fyodor Dostoevsky, Volume X

Finally, even if I had wanted to be anything but magnanimous, had desired on the contrary to revenge myself on my assailant, I could not have revenged myself on any one for anything because I should certainly never have made up my mind to do anything, even if I had been able to.

I will ask on my own account here, an idle question: which is better—cheap happiness or exalted sufferings?

The expression with which children look at people they are very fond of, of whom they are asking a favour. Her eyes were a light hazel, they were lovely eyes, full of life, and capable of expressing love as well as sullen hatred.