Men reject their prophets and slay them, but they love their martyrs and honor those whom they have slain.
 Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov (1880). copy citation

edit
Author Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Source The Brothers Karamazov
Topic honor martyr prophet
Date 1880
Language English
Reference
Note Translated by Constance Garnett
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28054/28054-h/28054-h.html

Context

“And if they are not saved hereafter, then their sons will be saved, for your light will not die even when you are dead. The righteous man departs, but his light remains. Men are always saved after the death of the deliverer. Men reject their prophets and slay them, but they love their martyrs and honor those whom they have slain. You are working for the whole, you are acting for the future. Seek no reward, for great is your reward on this earth: the spiritual joy which is only vouchsafed to the righteous man. Fear not the great nor the mighty, but be wise and ever serene.” source

Meaning and analysis

write a note
report