"Power is given only to those who dare to lower themselves and pick it up. Only one thing matters, one thing; to be able to dare!"

Power, according to Dostoevsky, is not an inherited trait nor an abstract entitlement, it is something that lies dormant, waiting to be claimed by those with the audacity and humility to seize it. The choice of words, "lower themselves", is crucial; it suggests that true power often demands a certain relinquishing of pride, a willingness to descend from lofty ideals or social hierarchies into the realm of action. It implies effort, humility, and vulnerability. Picking up power is not an elegant or grandiose affair; it requires getting one's hands dirty, acknowledging the realities that others may ignore, and accepting the burdens that come with authority.

The act of daring is the central theme. It is not the possession of power, nor even the act of seeking it, that is most important, but the courage to reach for it despite the risks and sacrifices involved. To dare is to confront one's own fears, suffer the possibility of failure or disdain, and proceed nonetheless. People often idolize power but shrink from the effort and risk it demands. True power is available to all, but few are willing to pay its price; it is the daring few who step forward, willing to lower themselves in the eyes of others, to confront difficulty and opposition.

Dostoevsky’s perspective is both empowering and humbling. Power does not originate from birthright, intellect, or privilege, but from the capacity for bold action. This overturns many conventional notions of authority and merit. There is an existential quality to his assertion: the ultimate test is not what one possesses, but whether one can act decisively and courageously when confronted by opportunity or necessity. The world changes not because of the most deserving, but because of those who dare, those who lower their pride, accept the cost, and seize the moment. For Dostoevsky, courage, above all, is what gives meaning and substance to power.