Мертві душі
Chapter 4
Ahme!whatbootsthatwealthforwhichmendisputeandcutoneanother’sthroats?Dotheythinkthatitispossibletoprosperinthisworldwithoutthinkingoftheworldtocome?BelievemewhenIsaythat,untilamanshallhaverenouncedallthatleadshumanitytocontendwithoutgivingathoughttotheorderingofspiritualwealth,hewillneversethistemporalgoodseitheruponasatisfactoryfoundation.Yes,evenastimesofwantandscarcitymaycomeuponnations,somaytheycomeuponindividuals.Nomatterwhatmaybesaidtothecontrary,thebodycanneverdispensewiththesoul.Why,then,willyounottrytowalkintherightway,and,bythinkingnolongerofdeadsouls,butonlyofyouronlylivingone,regain,withGod’shelp,thebetterroad?Itooamleavingthetownto-morrow.Hasten,therefore,lest,bereftofmyassistance,youmeetwithsomediremisfortune.”
Andtheoldmandeparted,leavingChichikovplungedinthought.Oncemorehadthegravityoflifebeguntoloomlargebeforehim.
“Yes,Murazovwasright,”hesaidtohimself.“ItistimethatIweremoving.”
Leavingtheprison—awardercarryinghiseffectsinhiswake—hefoundSelifanandPetrushkaoverjoyedatseeingtheirmasteroncemoreatliberty.
“Well,goodfellows?”hesaidkindly.“Andnowwemustpackandbeoff.”
“True,true,PaulIvanovitch,”agreedSelifan.“Andbythistimetheroadswillhavebecomefirmer,formuchsnowhasfallen.Yes,hightimeisitthatwewereclearofthetown.SowearyofitamIthatthesightofithurtsmyeyes.
