He was one of the numerous and varied legion of dullards, of half-animated abortions, conceited, half-educated coxcombs, who attach themselves to the idea most in fashion only to vulgarize it and who caricature every cause they serve, however sincerely.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky
About This Quote

The expression, “He was one of the numerous and varied legion of dullards, of half-animated abortions, conceited, half-educated coxcombs, who attach themselves to the idea most in fashion only to vulgarize it and who caricature every cause they serve, however sincerely” is a quote from a speech made by William Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice. In this speech, Shylock is speaking to Antonio about the unfortunate predicament he is in. Because he chooses to lend money out at a high rate of interest, he has been accused of being a blood-sucker. In this quote, Shakespeare describes the behavior of Shylock as being similar to that of “the numerous and varied legion of dullards, of half-animated abortions, conceited, half-educated coxcombs” who attach themselves to fashionable ideas only to vulgarize them and caricature other people’s causes.

Source: Crime And Punishment

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