XXV
"DOSTOEVSKY described one of his mad characters as living and taking vengeance on himself and others because he had served a cause in which he did not believe. He wrote that about himself; that is, he could have said the same of himself."
XXVI
"SОМЕ of the words used in church are amazingly obscure: what meaning is there, for instance, in the words: 'The earth is God's and the fulness thereof'? That is not Holy Scripture, but a kind of popular scientific materialism."
"But you explained the words somewhere," said Suler.
"Many things are explained. . . . 'An explanation does not go up to the hilt.'"
And he gave a cunning little smile.
XXVII
HE likes putting difficult and malicious questions:
What do you think of yourself?
Do you love your wife?
Do you think my son, Leo, has talent?
How do you like Sophie Andreyevna?[1]
Once he asked: "Are you fond of me, Alexey Maximovitch?"
- ↑ Tolstoi's wife.
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