Page 489 - the-idiot

‘I only wished to say that this ‘distortion,’ as Evgenie Pav-
lovitch expressed it, is met with very often, and is far more
the general rule than the exception, unfortunately for Rus-
sia. So much so, that if this distortion were not the general
rule, perhaps these dreadful crimes would be less frequent.’
‘Dreadful crimes? But I can assure you that crimes just as
dreadful, and probably more horrible, have occurred before
our times, and at all times, and not only here in Russia, but
everywhere else as well. And in my opinion it is not at all
likely that such murders will cease to occur for a very long
time to come. The only difference is that in former times
there was less publicity, while now everyone talks and writes
freely about such things—which fact gives the impression
that such crimes have only now sprung into existence. That
is where your mistake lies—an extremely natural mistake, I
assure you, my dear fellow!’ said Prince S.
‘I know that there were just as many, and just as terrible,
crimes before our times. Not long since I visited a convict
prison and made acquaintance with some of the criminals.
There were some even more dreadful criminals than this
one we have been speaking of—men who have murdered a
dozen of their fellowcreatures, and feel no remorse whatev-
er. But what I especially noticed was this, that the very most
hopeless and remorseless murderer—however hardened a
criminal he may be—still KNOWS THAT HE IS A CRIM-
INAL; that is, he is conscious that he has acted wickedly,
though he may feel no remorse whatever. And they were
all like this. Those of whom Evgenie Pavlovitch has spoken,
do not admit that they are criminals at all; they think they

The Idiot