When we have done our duty, all that’s left for us great men is to make haste to close our eyes without seeking a reward.
 Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Demons (1872). copy citation

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Author Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Source Demons
Topic duty reward
Date 1872
Language English
Reference
Note Translated by Constance Garnett in 1916
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/8117/8117-h/8117-h.htm

Context

“They say that one of our Shakespeares positively blurted out in private conversation that “we great men can’t do otherwise,” and so on, and, what’s more, was unaware of it. “There in Karlsruhe I shall close my eyes. When we have done our duty, all that’s left for us great men is to make haste to close our eyes without seeking a reward. I shall do so too.” “Give me the address and I shall come to Karlsruhe to visit your tomb,” said the German, laughing immoderately. “They send corpses by rail nowadays,” one of the less important young men said unexpectedly.” source