Why ‘To Go Wrong in One’s Own Way Is Better Than to Go Right in Someone Else’s’ Captures Dostoevsky’s Philosophy of Freedom

Quote Analysis

In a world that constantly nudges us toward conformity—whether through culture, education, or social expectations—few voices speak as boldly about the value of individual choice as Fyodor Dostoevsky’s. His words:

“To go wrong in one’s own way is better than to go right in someone else’s,”

challenge us to rethink what it truly means to live with integrity. Why does this idea resonate so powerfully even today? Is personal error more noble than borrowed success? This article explores the philosophical depth behind Dostoevsky’s quote and how it speaks to authenticity, moral autonomy, and the human spirit’s need to choose—even at the risk of failure.

Origin and Meaning of the Quote

The quote “To go wrong in one’s own way is better than to go right in someone else’s” comes from Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novel Crime and Punishment. At first glance, it might sound paradoxical: how can being wrong be better than being right? But Dostoevsky isn’t speaking about factual correctness—he’s speaking about the soul.

This quote reflects a central theme in Dostoevsky’s work: the value of personal freedom and the dignity of individual choice. He believed that moral and spiritual growth only happen when a person walks their own path—even if that path includes mistakes, pain, or failure. When we simply follow someone else’s rules or beliefs, even if they lead to “success,” we lose a part of ourselves. We become passive, dependent, and spiritually empty.

In simpler terms, Dostoevsky is saying: It’s better to stumble while being true to yourself than to succeed by copying others. Why? Because growth, learning, and true meaning come from within. The risk of error is part of what makes our choices real and human.

Freedom of Choice as a Core Human Value

Imagine you’re a student, and you’re allowed to choose your own project topic. You know it will be challenging, and maybe you won’t do it perfectly—but it’s yours. Now imagine someone else chooses the topic for you. You might do well, you might even get an A, but the project isn’t really your work. Which feels more fulfilling?

That’s exactly the point Dostoevsky makes. Freedom of choice is not just about selecting between options—it’s about living according to your own values, desires, and understanding of the world. It’s the foundation of what makes us fully human.

Dostoevsky believed that:

• A person who chooses freely, even if they make mistakes, is alive and spiritually active.
• A person who obeys blindly, even if they are technically “right,” becomes a kind of machine—efficient, but empty.

He warns us that when we sacrifice our freedom for comfort or social approval, we pay a high price: we lose our sense of self. Without freedom, there can be no moral responsibility, no creativity, and no authentic life.

Authenticity vs. Conformity

One of the most important contrasts in this quote is between authenticity and conformity. Authenticity means being honest with yourself—living according to what you truly think, feel, and believe. Conformity means adjusting yourself to fit into someone else’s model of “what’s right.”

Let’s break this down with a simple comparison:

• An authentic person may fail, but they fail with integrity. Their errors are their own, and through them, they learn and grow.
• A conformist may succeed by society’s standards, but they often feel hollow. They may have done the “right” thing, but it wasn’t their decision.

In today’s world, the pressure to conform is everywhere—from social media to family expectations to professional norms. But when we constantly look outside ourselves for answers, we become strangers to our own inner voice.

Dostoevsky’s quote encourages us to resist that pull. He reminds us that being wrong while following your heart is far more valuable than being right by following the crowd.

It’s also worth noting his other powerful quote:

“Nothing is easier than to denounce the evildoer; nothing is more difficult than to understand him.”

This line speaks to the same theme—real understanding, like real authenticity, is hard. But it’s what gives life depth and meaning.

Ethical and Existential Dimension of the Quote

This quote is not just about personal preference—it also opens a deep ethical and existential question: What does it mean to live a good life?

Dostoevsky suggests that morality is not simply about doing what others say is right. True morality comes from within—from the ability to make choices, take responsibility for those choices, and live with the consequences. That’s why he places more value on a personal mistake than on passive obedience.

From an ethical point of view:

• When you make your own choice—even if it turns out to be wrong—you are exercising moral agency.
• When you blindly follow someone else’s path, even if the result is “correct,” you avoid responsibility and moral growth.

From an existential angle, Dostoevsky is touching on a central idea: Existence comes before essence. In other words, we become who we are through the choices we make. If those choices are not truly ours, we become hollow copies of others.

Choosing wrongly but freely means we are alive, engaged, and growing. Choosing rightly but under someone else’s direction can mean we’re simply existing, not living.

Related Ideas in the History of Philosophy

Dostoevsky wasn’t the only thinker to explore this idea. Throughout the history of philosophy, many great minds emphasized the importance of self-direction and freedom of choice.

Let’s look at a few key parallels:

• Friedrich Nietzsche believed that people should “become who they are,” which means rejecting imposed identities and creating one’s own values.
• Jean-Paul Sartre, the father of existentialism, argued that humans are “condemned to be free.” That is, we are always responsible for choosing our path, and there’s no escape from that burden.
• Immanuel Kant emphasized the idea of autonomy—that true moral action comes not from obeying rules, but from following laws one has given to oneself through reason.

What unites these thinkers is a shared belief: to live well is to live authentically, through your own judgment, even if the road is difficult or uncertain.

Dostoevsky’s version of this idea is unique because he adds a spiritual and emotional depth. He is not just concerned with logic or ethics—he cares about the human soul and its struggle between freedom and comfort, between faith and fear.

Real-Life Relevance and Everyday Application

It’s easy to think of this quote as abstract or philosophical, but it actually applies to everyday life more than we realize. Every day, we make choices: what to study, who to trust, which career to follow, how to live.

Here’s how the quote plays out in real life:

• You choose a career you’re passionate about, even if it’s risky—rather than a “safe” job chosen by your parents.
• You end a friendship that no longer feels right, even if others think you’re being unreasonable.
• You follow your values and speak up, even if that makes you unpopular.

These situations show that being true to yourself often comes with a cost—but that cost is worth it. Why? Because the alternative is worse: losing touch with who you really are.

In practice, this quote teaches us:

• To listen to our own voice before looking for approval.
• To take responsibility for our choices instead of blaming others.
• To accept that mistakes are part of meaningful living.

That’s not easy. But it’s real. And in the long run, it’s how people grow into confident, wise, and self-aware individuals.

Why Authentic Mistakes Are Better Than Borrowed Success

Let’s return to Dostoevsky’s insight with fresh eyes. He is not saying that being wrong is good for its own sake. He’s saying that freedom, authenticity, and moral growth require risk—and sometimes, failure.

A mistake made by your own choice is an act of courage. It teaches you something. It shapes your character. On the other hand, being “right” on someone else’s terms may look good on the outside, but inside, you haven’t moved forward. You’ve just obeyed.

This quote reminds us that:

• Freedom is essential to human dignity.
• Authenticity gives life its meaning.
• And responsibility is what transforms a person from a follower into a creator.

So ask yourself: Are the choices you’re making truly your own?
And if they’re not—are you willing to risk being wrong in order to truly live?