Page 522 - the-brothers-karamazov

Meanwhile, in their solitude, they keep the image of Christ
fair and undefiled, in the purity of God’s truth, from the
times of the Fathers of old, the Apostles and the martyrs.
And when the time comes they will show it to the tottering
creeds of the world. That is a great thought. That star will
rise out of the East.
That is my view of the monk, and is it false? Is it too
proud? Look at the worldly and all who set themselves up
above the people of God; has not God’s image and His truth
been distorted in them? They have science; but in science
there is nothing but what is the object of sense. The spiritual
world, the higher part of man’s being is rejected altogeth-
er, dismissed with a sort of triumph, even with hatred. The
world has proclaimed the reign of freedom, especially of
late, but what do we see in this freedom of theirs? Nothing
but slavery and self-destruction! For the world says:
‘You have desires and so satisfy them, for you have the
same rights as the most rich and powerful. Don’t be afraid
of satisfying them and even multiply your desires.’ That is
the modern doctrine of the world. In that they see freedom.
And what follows from this right of multiplication of de-
sires? In the rich, isolation and spiritual suicide; in the poor,
envy and murder; for they have been given rights, but have
not been shown the means of satisfying their wants. They
maintain that the world is getting more and more united,
more and more bound together in brotherly community, as
it overcomes distance and sets thoughts flying through the
air.
Alas, put no faith in such a bond of union. Interpret-

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