To go wrong in one's own way is better than to go right in someone else's.

The theme of alienation from society takes center stage in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s classic 1866 novel “Crime and Punishment.” This is embodied by the novel’s protagonist, Raskolnikov, whose very name is derived from the Russian “raskolnik”, meaning “schismatic” or “divided.” He is a proud and disdainful man who looks down upon his fellow humans. In contrast, Dostoevsky created the character of Razumikhin, a humanist with a strong sense of morality. He doesn’t become gloomy or resigned at the thought of failure — instead, he celebrates it. “Through error you come to the truth!” he proclaims in the monologue that contains this quote. “I am a man because I err! You never reach any truth without making fourteen mistakes and very likely a hundred and fourteen.” These wise words from Razumikhin, whose own name comes from the Russian word “razum” (meaning “reason” or “intelligence”), remind us that although we will certainly fail many times throughout our lives, our failures belong to us and are vital for forging our identities.