The Brothers Karamazovstill stands steadfast before their eyes, and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it. Has it not lasted nineteen centu-
ries, is it not still a living, a moving power in the individual
soul and in the masses of people? It is still as strong and
living even in the souls of atheists, who have destroyed ev-
erything! For even those who have renounced Christianity
and attack it, in their inmost being still follow the Chris-
tian ideal, for hitherto neither their subtlety nor the ardour
of their hearts has been able to create a higher ideal of man
and of virtue than the ideal given by Christ of old. When
it has been attempted, the result has been only grotesque.
Remember this especially, young man, since you are being
sent into the world by your departing elder. Maybe, remem-
bering this great day, you will not forget my words, uttered
from the heart for your guidance, seeing you are young,
and the temptations of the world are great and beyond your
strength to endure. Well, now go, my orphan.’
With these words Father Paissy blessed him. As Alyo-
sha left the monastery and thought them over, he suddenly
realised that he had met a new and unexpected friend, a
warmly loving teacher, in this austere monk who had hither-
to treated him sternly. It was as though Father Zossima had
bequeathed him to him at his death, and ‘perhaps that’s just
what had passed between them,’ Alyosha thought suddenly.
The philosophic reflections he had just heard so unexpect-
edly testified to the warmth of Father Paissy’s heart. He was
in haste to arm the boy’s mind for conflict with tempta-
tion and to guard the young soul left in his charge with the
strongest defence he could imagine.