Page 846 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

‘I fancy that the greater influence is always on the side
of true civilization,’ said Alexey Alexandrovitch, slightly
lifting his eyebrows.
‘But what are we to lay down as the outward signs of

true civilization?’ said Pestsov.
‘I imagine such signs are generally very well known,’
said Alexey Alexandrovitch.
‘But are they fully known?’ Sergey Ivanovitch put in
with a subtle smile. ‘It is the accepted view now that real
culture must be purely classical; but we see most intense
disputes on each side of the question, and there is no
denying that the opposite camp has strong points in its
favor.’
‘You are for classics, Sergey Ivanovitch. Will you take
red wine?’ said Stepan Arkadyevitch.
‘I am not expressing my own opinion of either form of
culture,’ Sergey Ivanovitch said, holding out his glass with
a smile of condescension, as to a child. ‘I only say that
both sides have strong arguments to support them,’ he
went on, addressing Alexey Alexandrovitch. ‘My
sympathies are classical from education, but in this
discussion I am personally unable to arrive at a conclusion.
I see no distinct grounds for classical studies being given a
preeminence over scientific studies.’

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