Dostoyevsky wrote in his work The Brothers Karamazov (1879) that “Every man is not only responsible for everything he does, but also for what everyone else does.”

The first part is relatively straightforward: you are responsible for your own actions. If you succeed as a result of consistent good habits, that’s great—hat’s off to you, my friend. But if you falter due to dopamine-driven, hedonistic pursuits, you will bear the consequences.

You are always the product of your choices and habits. So, the next time you find yourself at a crossroads, choosing between two polar opposite modes of being, make the choice that’s best for your future. (Hint: think long-term!)

The second part of Dostoyevsky’s assertion is more complex: “You are also responsible for what everyone else does.” Yes, you read that correctly. But how can you possibly be responsible for the actions of others? First, we must define: who is “everyone else”?

You experience life solely through your own two eyes. You are responsible for how you interpret the world, including other people’s actions and words. They are humans, too, acting based on their intentions at any given moment—independent of what’s in your head or how you feel. It’s not always clear to them how you might respond to their actions. Humans behave as they see fit.

Your responsibility lies in how you process and interpret what enters your mind. If you perceive someone’s actions as “bad,” why do you see them that way? How did you even find yourself in a position to observe it? Perhaps you weren’t where you were meant to be, when you were meant to be there. Jordan Peterson elaborates: “Maybe reality is merely feeding back proportionately what you have delivered to it.”

You are also accountable for your moral framework. Over time, you’ve shaped your definitions of good and evil. While societies share general moral principles, each person’s framework is unique and nuanced. This can make moral judgment complex. For example, is pain inherently bad? Or can it be valuable if it leads to growth?

Ultimately, your moral framework is deeply personal, shaped by your experiences and choices. It is both a reflection of and a guide for the life you live.

Take a moment to reflect: How do your interpretations and choices shape your world? Responsibility is deeper than it seems—perhaps it’s time to redefine how you see it.