The only gain of civilisation for mankind is the greater capacity for variety of sensations—and absolutely nothing more. … In any case civilisation has made mankind if not more bloodthirsty, at least more vilely, more loathsomely bloodthirsty. In old days he saw justice in bloodshed and with his conscience at peace exterminated those he though proper. Now we do think bloodshed abominable and yet we engage in this abomination, and with more energy than ever. Which worse? Decide that for yourselves.

— Fyodor Dostoevsky in Notes from the Underground (via samreynard)

(via dostoyevsky)