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satisfying the innumerable desires he has created for him-
self? He is isolated, and what concern has he with the rest of
humanity? They have succeeded in accumulating a greater
mass of objects, but the joy in the world has grown less.
The monastic way is very different. Obedience, fasting,
and prayer are laughed at, yet only through them lies the
way to real, true freedom. I cut off my superfluous and un-
necessary desires, I subdue my proud and wanton will and
chastise it with obedience, and with God’s help I attain
freedom of spirit and with it spiritual joy. Which is most ca-
pable of conceiving a great idea and serving it — the rich in
his isolation or the man who has freed himself from the tyr-
anny of material things and habits? The monk is reproached
for his solitude, ‘You have secluded yourself within the walls
of the monastery for your own salvation, and have forgotten
the brotherly service of humanity!’ But we shall see which
will be most zealous in the cause of brotherly love. For it is
not we, but they, who are in isolation, though they don’t see
that. Of old, leaders of the people came from among us, and
why should they not again? The same meek and humble as-
cetics will rise up and go out to work for the great cause. The
salvation of Russia comes from the people. And the Russian
monk has always been on the side of the people. We are
isolated only if the people are isolated. The people believe
as we do, and an unbelieving reformer will never do any-
thing in Russia, even if he is sincere in heart and a genius.
Remember that! The people will meet the atheist and over-
come him, and Russia will be one and orthodox. Take care
of the peasant and guard his heart. Go on educating him