Page 42 - war-and-peace

been difficult to give any other answer than the one Prince
Andrew gave to this naive question.
‘If no one fought except on his own conviction, there
would be no wars,’ he said.
‘And that would be splendid,’ said Pierre.
Prince Andrew smiled ironically.
‘Very likely it would be splendid, but it will never come
about..’
‘Well, why are you going to the war?’ asked Pierre.
‘What for? I don’t know. I must. Besides that I am go-
ing...’ He paused. ‘I am going because the life I am leading
here does not suit me!’

42 War and Peace