"I wanted to expound my views to the meeting in the most concise form possible, but I see that I should need to add a great many verbal explanations, and so the whole exposition would occupy at least ten evenings, one for each of my chapters." (There was the sound of laughter.) "I must add, besides, that my system is not yet complete." (Laughter again.) "I am perplexed by my own data and my conclusion is a direct contradiction of the original idea with which I start.

Starting from unlimited freedom, I arrive at unlimited despotism.
I will add, however, that there can be no solution of the social problem but mine." The laughter grew louder and louder, but it came chiefly from the younger and less initiated visitors.

There was an expression of some annoyance on the faces of Madame Virginsky, Liputin, and the lame teacher.
"If you've been unsuccessful in making your system consistent, and have been reduced to despair yourself, what could we do with it ?" one officer observed warily.
"You are right, Mr.Officer"-- Shigalov turned sharply to him--"especially in using the word despair.

Yes, I am reduced to despair.
Nevertheless, nothing can take the place of the system set forth in my book, and there is no other way out of it; no one can invent anything else.

And so I hasten without loss of time to invite the whole society to listen for ten evenings to my book and then give their opinions of it.