A new step, a word of your own: that is what people fear most.

What it means

Raskolnikov notices that people let everything slip out of plain cowardice. The scariest thing is doing or saying something new. Notice that fear and take the step anyway.

The source

"A new step, a word of your own: that is what people fear most." Fyodor Dostoevsky said it in Crime and Punishment, Part 1, ch. 1. Translated by Constance Garnett, 1914.

"Taking a new step, uttering a new word is what they fear most."

Constance Garnett, 1914, Crime and Punishment, Part 1, ch. 1. Text read at gutenberg.org.

Who said it

Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821–1881). Russian novelist who survived a mock execution and Siberian prison camp. He wrote Crime and Punishment, The Idiot and The Brothers Karamazov.

Questions

What does "A new step, a word of your own: that is what people fear most." mean?

Raskolnikov notices that people let everything slip out of plain cowardice. The scariest thing is doing or saying something new. Notice that fear and take the step anyway.

Who said "A new step, a word of your own: that is what people fear most."?

Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821–1881). Source: Crime and Punishment, Part 1, ch. 1.

What is the original wording?

Taking a new step, uttering a new word is what they fear most (Constance Garnett, 1914). Translated by Constance Garnett, 1914.

Is "A new step, a word of your own: that is what people fear most." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 6 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"A new step, a word of your own: that is what people fear most." (Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment, Part 1, ch. 1, trans. Constance Garnett, 1914). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/a-new-step-a-word-of-your-own