Мертві душі
Chapter 3
’Andtheresultofsuchluxurieswillbethatthepeasantwillbecomearagratherthanaman,andsufferfromthedevilonlyknowswhatdiseases,untiltherewillremaininthelandnotaboyofeighteenwhowillnothaveexperiencedthewholegamutofthem,andfoundhimselfleftwithnotatoothinhisjawsorahaironhispate.Yes,thatiswhatwillcomeofinfectingthepeasantwithsuchrubbish.But,thankGod,thereisstillonehealthyclasslefttous—aclasswhichhasnevertakenupwiththe‘advantages’ofwhichIspeak.Forthatweoughttobegrateful.Andsince,evenyet,theRussianagriculturistremainsthemostrespect-worthymanintheland,whyshouldhebetouched?WouldtoGodeveryonewereanagriculturist!”
“Thenyoubelieveagriculturetobethemostprofitableofoccupations?”saidChichikov.
“Thebest,atallevents—ifnotthemostprofitable.‘Inthesweatofthybrowshaltthoutilltheland.’Toquotethatrequiresnogreatwisdom,fortheexperienceofageshasshownusthat,intheagriculturalcalling,manhaseverremainedmoremoral,morepure,morenoblethaninanyother.OfcourseIdonotmeantoimplythatnoothercallingoughttobepractised:simplythatthecallinginquestionliesattherootofalltherest.
