10 The Brothers Karamazovguessing it. Rack your brains — you’ll understand it. His
article is absurd and ridiculous. And did you hear his stu-
pid theory just now: if there’s no immortality of the soul,
then there’s no virtue, and everything is lawful. (And by the
way, do you remember how your brother Mitya cried out:
‘I will remember!’) An attractive theory for scoundrels! —
(I’m being abusive, that’s stupid.) Not for scoundrels, but for
pedantic poseurs, ‘haunted by profound, unsolved doubts.’
He’s showing off, and what it all comes to is, ‘on the one
hand we cannot but admit’ and ‘on the other it must be con-
fessed!’ His whole theory is a fraud! Humanity will find in
itself the power to live for virtue even without believing in
immortality. It will find it in love for freedom, for equality,
for fraternity.’
Rakitin could hardly restrain himself in his heat, but,
suddenly, as though remembering something, he stopped
short.
‘Well, that’s enough,’ he said, with a still more crooked
smile. ‘Why are you laughing? Do you think I’m a vulgar
fool?’
‘No, I never dreamed of thinking you a vulgar fool. You
are clever but... never mind, I was silly to smile. I understand
your getting hot about it, Misha. I guess from your warmth
that you are not indifferent to Katerina Ivanovna yourself;
I’ve suspected that for a long time, brother, that’s why you
don’t like my brother Ivan. Are you jealous of him?’
‘And jealous of her money, too? Won’t you add that?’
‘I’ll say nothing about money. I am not going to insult
you.’