Мертві душі
Chapter 4
“Thoughyouhavefallen,PaulIvanovitch,awaketobetterthings,forasyetthereistime.”
“No,no!”groanedChichikovinavoicewhichmadeMurazov’sheartbleed.“Itistoolate,toolate.MoreandmoreistheconvictiongaininguponmethatIampowerless,thatIhavestrayedtoofarevertobeabletodoasyoubidme.ThefactthatIhavebecomewhatIamisduetomyearlyschooling;for,thoughmyfathertaughtmemorallessons,andbeatme,andsetmetocopymaximsintoabook,hehimselfstolelandfromhisneighbours,andforcedmetohelphim.Ihaveevenknownhimtobringanunjustsuit,anddefraudtheorphanwhoseguardianhewas!ConsequentlyIknowandfeelthat,thoughmylifehasbeendifferentfromhis,IdonothaterogueryasIoughttohateit,andthatmynatureiscoarse,andthatinmethereisnorealloveforwhatisgood,norealsparkofthatbeautifulinstinctforwell-doingwhichbecomesasecondnature,asettledhabit.Also,neverdoIyearntostriveforwhatisrightasIyearntoacquireproperty.Thisisnomorethanthetruth.WhatelsecouldIdobutconfessit?”
Theoldmansighed.
“PaulIvanovitch,”hesaid,“Iknowthatyoupossesswill-power,andthatyoupossessalsoperseverance.Amedicinemaybebitter,yetthepatientwillgladlytakeitwhenassuredthatonlybyitsmeanscanherecover.Therefore,ifitreallybethatyouhavenogenuinelovefordoinggood,dogoodbyFORCINGyourselftodoso.Thusyouwillbenefityourselfevenmorethanyouwillbenefithimforwhosesaketheactisperformed.
