Алая буква
Conclusion
Thisunhappymanhadmadetheveryprincipleofhislifetoconsistinthepursuitandsystematicexerciserevenge;andwhen,byitscompletesttriumphconsummationthatevilprinciplewasleftwithnofurthermaterialtosupportit—when,inshort,therewasnomoreDevil’sworkonearthforhimtodo,itonlyremainedfortheunhumanisedmortaltobetakehimselfwhitherhismasterwouldfindhimtasksenough,andpayhimhiswagesduly.But,toalltheseshadowybeings,solongournearacquaintances—aswellRogerChillingworthashiscompanionswewouldfainbemerciful.Itisacurioussubjectofobservationandinquiry,whetherhatredandlovebenotthesamethingatbottom.Each,initsutmostdevelopment,supposesahighdegreeofintimacyandheart-knowledge;eachrendersoneindividualdependentforthefoodofhisaffectionsandspiritualfifeuponanother:eachleavesthepassionatelover,orthenolesspassionatehater,forlornanddesolatebythewithdrawalofhissubject.Philosophicallyconsidered,therefore,thetwopassionsseemessentiallythesame,exceptthatonehappenstobeseeninacelestialradiance,andtheotherinaduskyandluridglow.Inthespiritualworld,theoldphysicianandtheminister—mutualvictimsastheyhavebeen—may,unawares,havefoundtheirearthlystockofhatredandantipathytransmutedintogoldenlove.
Leavingthisdiscussionapart,wehaveamatterofbusinesstocommunicatetothereader.
