Fate did not send him [Alexander II] a Richelieu or a Bismarck; but the point is that he was incapable of using a Richelieu or a Bismarck; he possessed pretensions and the fear of a weak man to seem weak … respect for the authority of the autocratic state collapsed: no type of system, no type of general plan … complete discord.

The definitions and boundary lines between good and evil have disappeared … disintegration is everywhere, for everything has come apart, and no bonds remain.

They did not know whom and how to judge, they could not agree on what was evil and what was good. They did not know whom to accuse and whom to justify. People killed each other out of some sort of senseless evil anger.

I felt that if I wished to live and understand the meaning of life, I must seek it amongst … the simple, unlearned and poor men.

Another remedy presents itself … Why not try it?