Feofan Prokopovich
A word of praise to the blessed and eternally worthy memory of Peter the Great,
Emperor and Autocrat of All-Russia, and so on, and so on, on the day of his name preached in the reigning St. Petersburg, in the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity, the Holy Governing Synod by the Vice-President, His Eminence Theophan, Archbishop of Pskov and Narva This is the day, about the sons of Russia, which before gave us great matter of joy , now incessant grief and sadness are more arousing, the name day of Peter the Great! Previously, Russia triumphed on this day, thanks to God’s care for the monarch bestowed upon itself, the first bit of glory in the kings Russian first to the apostle of the same name and who did not have this name in vain, firm in faith, strong in deed, both for the establishment of the fatherland and for the crushing of our adversary, like a stone. Now this day, remembering our bliss, but already taken from us, our common hearts, hitherto not sweetened by grief, are even more saddened. But what good is it to overcome an illness when we can’t get back what we’ve lost! Isn’t it better for us to do what we owe to our God and Peter: that is, to offer to the environment the glorious talents, deeds and actions of Petrov. We will see that this memory will show how great a waste has been made for us, and such a great one will arouse lamentation in us. Moreover, O listeners, this wonderful man filled us with such a spirit, that is, strong, courageous and skilled in Christian philosophy, with such a spirit we owe him this last service. We mourn and lament, but not as if we were petrified; we cry and weep, but not out of despair; we are grieving from the grief of our hearts, but not as if we are speechless and have lost our senses. They lend us many favors, let us not keep silent about the God-given talents with which we were richly enriched, and the whole world was rather surprised by our present father, Peter the Truly Great. What is required of us is the highest, not only in terms of power, but also in terms of strength; demands our servile and filial gratitude; What we need most of all is the great goodness of God revealed to us through him. By offering Peter’s deeds, let us propose the deeds of God, which are preached throughout the entire village; If we remain silent, then just as we are taking away a worker who is unworthy of them, so we are also showing ourselves ungrateful to God through silence. For this reason, fulfilling this duty of ours to the best of our ability and approaching a certain narrative of Peter’s glory (a certain, verb, narrative, unequal and dissatisfied, with which can great books be satisfied), I pray and ask your love for Christ, not what preachers usually ask their hearers, that is, let it be easy for you to hear, but what was mentioned before, so that you may have courageous, wise, and Peter’s heart like generosity and patience, so that those who hear so much good, which the perfector has left us, will not weaken in the end. Our petition concerns you first and foremost, our most powerful monarch, our mighty and mighty heir. Trying to overcome your unbearable illness with the courage known to everyone in your female flesh, patiently hold this thorn and weapon piercing your soul, pierced into your heart. Even before, accompanying Peter on his great and difficult campaigns and courageously despising all fears, you were the only one who lamented his very misfortune, then who can confess your current grief, Peter’s taking away, which entered you. For this reason, when you hear Peter’s deeds, delight your heart with the glory of them and bear such deprivation with extreme generosity. I hope that by this story we will not only be aroused to give thanks to God’s mercy, which did us much good in our Peter, and Peter, who acted much by God’s mercy, but also in our present sorrow we will receive joy and consolation. It’s not like this, O sons of Russia, it’s not like our father left us like he would have taken everything that was his with him, but he left us with his countless wealth and various gifts: both in teaching and image, and also in the deeds he has done, great and countless. The difficulty only lies ahead, how to embrace it and present it in a word, and even in a short and unskilled one. I see a vast cloud of strength and virtuous deeds, and what comes first, what comes next, what is said last, but also what to remember, why in the shortness of time and leave, I am perplexed. Let's look at the dual position and work, the first, like a simple king, the second, like a Christian king, and what and how much Peter showed up in both of these, something, even if imperfect, it will be enough to say. We accept the rank and order of this word from the wise Jesus of Sirach, who, praising King David, first remembers his human labors, which he used for his fatherland, and then his theological deeds, which helped the faith and the church. Let us first look at the works of our monarch, as if they were simply human, although there are not many people like them, and he created them for the benefit of our fatherland, his God-given heritage. And for this great cause there is a need for the monarch, even if he does not bear his name in vain, there are two certain needs, not physical, but smart hands - strength, I say, military and political intelligence: one of them is for defense, and the other is for the good governance of the state. And I also call this obscene with my hands, since it is impossible for two hands to do two things together, and also to do things that are separate and different; It’s better to say that such a person needs to be a thorough person: he would be skillful and brave in military affairs, and wise and diligent in government affairs. Are there many such sovereigns in history? But our Peter is, and in the last centuries there will be such a story, truly wonderful and surpassing faith. Do you want to see his military strength? Naturally eager for weapons and eager for military fire, how did you play in adolescence and what did you have fun with? Leading and building regiments, building fortresses and reaching out a thousand times, and defending, and fighting in field battles - these are his amusement and amusement, now his infant games. And what is very wonderful is that when it was not yet time for him to become a military student, he was already like his old teacher, the former incorrect army, weak in defense, but only recognizing the strong one for the ruin of the fatherland, was despised and dismissed, and tried to introduce a new regulation. And if such a child had appeared among the ancient Romans, blinded by pagan superstition, everyone would truly believe that he was born of Mars. Soon then small and dissatisfied earthly campaigns seemed to him. Seen by chance, or even more so by God's providence, this little tree, then despised, but now glorious, kindled such a desire for navigation in this vast heart that it could not calm down, until it reached complete watery restlessness. Who wouldn’t be surprised how quickly and how high he jumped out of these adolescent amusements! In amusing wars, as if in direct and great ones, having learned, rejoiced like a giant mother-in-law's path, and was called from the European potentates into the confederation against the Turks, did not wait for them to begin, rushing at the fierce adversary of Christ and taking away his strong shields - Kezikermen, where by force and command, and Azov, where he was present in person and action. It took away a lot from his highly intelligent spirit and the Black Fleet, shown at sea, so unheard of, brought him into fear and confusion. And so, not only his own fatherland, but the whole of Christianity, appeared as a defender. And there he extended all his spirit. His strong intention was to trample and kill the dragon of Mohammed or to expel him from the eastern paradise. And that hope was not hopeless, if only you, O good Europe, had fallen behind your character and customs, that is, disagreement and zeal, and if you had not seen each other in the common misfortune, but would have prospered. But the wondrous God in his destinies deigned to show the power and glory of Russia in Peter and surprise the whole world; by stopping the Turkic war he did not take it away from him, but exchanged his blessing. Having ceased from the South, a storm arose from the North, the Swedish War flared up. Oh and the name is terrible! Swedish war! Wherever in the world it is heard that Rus' and the Swedes entered the war, it is said that the end has come for Russia. And how could it be wrong to prophesy? The Swedish force was terrible throughout Europe, but the Russian force could hardly be called a force. What happened? This prophecy about the extreme fall of Russia seemed very false to many. But that’s not enough. This prophecy would be false, even if we, having fought with the enemy, parted with equal happiness and misfortune. But something happened that no one could have predicted, but which no one could even hope for. For besides the fact that it is not strong, and unaccustomed to war, and also the primer, so say, to learn weapons, the novice army entered into battle with the strong, and long-skilled, and everywhere with the same sound of their weapons they carried fear and trembling, yet so unequal cases and The circumstances and behavior of both sides made it clear that the enemy had the power to call ours their own, but it was difficult for us not to despair of ours. They were forced to make expeditions in more than one direction, not in one, but in many places to take action, in Ingria, Karelia, Estonia, Livonia, Courland, Lithuania, Poland, and then in Belaya and Malaya Russia, and then also in Moldova (for the war of Tours, sparked by the Swedish, can be called Swedish fire and thunder), even then in Pomerania, and Holstein, and in Finland, and in other countries. Someone will think that the opposite side also had to go through many of these places, and so we and they had equal labor, equal misfortunes - but he is very blind who did not see how they were equal: such was the equality that whence The opposite received many benefits, from there we suffered losses. Look at Saxony; Where there is obvious and real friendship, there we have either dubious friendship, or known enmity and hostility. Look at Poland; and from whom they received refuge and protection, from him we suffered a strong uprising. Look at the Ottoman Porte; In the same and so disastrous campaigns, what were the actions? Are they single-person, such as have happened before in Russia? Everything is different: there were many types and varied feats and battles not only with one people and not only with military regulations, not only on land, but also on sea. And also to get at the nasty ones and defend ourselves in the fortresses; to get them in strong fortresses, to defend them in weak and weak ones. There were so many difficulties to see that in this war there were many wars. And how can we briefly imagine the whole disaster? You remember a certain one, and it seems that although there is a lot of this and that, like clouds, another one appears. What a lot of pain and colic - what didn’t I say! The nasty monarch soon humbled and broke two of our allies and forced one of them to sit quietly, and cast the other from the throne: the hostility was gone for him, and the help for us was gone. But even then, let those who are not great judge. Well, when did the internal Russian forces begin to be tormented! The Don revolt, the Astrakhan revolt, Mazepin's betrayal - isn't this internal torment? Is it not the womb of the disease itself? And so it came to pass that in this war, not only the no longer strong, but the sick entity of Russia fought with Sweden, which had become stronger than before. What kind of ruler - judge, listeners - what kind of sovereign did this fierce time require? He is truly many-reading and many-armed, or even more multi-component, and can divide the mighty into many places and deeds. This is the same as our Peter! Peter is our strength, by which we remain courageous even after his death! Peter is our glory, which will be until the end of the world Russian family will not stop boasting! Didn’t he have enough courage, hard work, and patience, which only brought him through many long, fruitless campaigns? Didn’t he have enough courage and bravery, who himself was present in both land and sea battles, and in the attacks and attacks of policemen? Didn't he lack a lofty mind, which other people's deep-scrupulous wisdom and inner treacherous cunning had not entwined or grasped? But Peter tamed, scattered and drove away all of the storms that arose from both outside and inside. And then he won, when many hoped that he himself would be defeated. And so the weak and weak conquered the strong, just as the few and the strong conquer the weak. And I swear against everyone not of our fatherland, but of any nation, not according to the passions of judging men, will they not testify to the truth of my this saying, that with such a glorious and terrible opponent (like ours was) to enter into a war, unless for many already with many nations wars, there would be something not hopeless. And Peter, in addition to the Azov campaign, in his childhood playful wars, as if he had already fought enough with the Spartans, and with the Africans, and with the Macedons, entered this much-poor and terrible war and rose to such a height of glory, to which many military men There are not many people who get through the arts. And what is marvelous, that he has become marvelous to the whole world, that even in the most distant foreign countries, where the Russian name had never previously reached the ears, his deeds are famous! But I am destined to be even more universally surprised by the strength that his main former opponent, over time, was surprised at his strength and courage and from whom he received ulcers, began to love him and, having despised everyone else, will not only be reconciled with him, but also in I desired a friendly union to copulate. Such truly powerful evidence has never existed in the world. And is fame only a consequence of courage? And that is a great gain, a great gain of glory; for such glory not only brings honor to nations, but also, crushing opponents with fear, bestows sadness. But Peter’s labors were many, and besides glory, they gave birth to sweet fruits for us and our allies: the return of our taken away lands, the addition of new conquered ones, yours, Polish Augusta, the restoration of the throne, yours, the Danish crown, protection, our glorious well-being, longed for, honest and selfish peace, the peace of a merciful God, an all-generous gift and joy to both peoples. Finally, Russian weapons have grown to such great glory and usefulness that even distant peoples demand protection and protection from us: poor Iberia comes running for this, the Persian crown asked and asks, but the mountain and Median barbarians, who alone terrified our weapons with the sight of them, alone submitted, others fled. Having seen this, listeners, what kind of power our Peter was in military matters, which is necessary for the intercession and expansion of the state, let us also see what kind of person he was in political or civil affairs, which every sovereign should have the strength to govern and correct his fatherland, and here is the hour something wonderful and wild appears to us. It won’t be long before we find someone who would be willing and willing to both military and civil matters: some very military from political thoughts, other advice, other and, almost, disgusting arts; This one, this other, requires the heart, character and desire, and it is almost as difficult for both of these to be in one person, as if storm and silence were to be at the same time and in one place. In fact, apparently this was inconceivable in our Peter. And would anyone, not knowing how expansive his spirit was to everything, would consider only the composition of his body, would judge about him that he was born for a single military task: such is his age, such vision, such movement. And then both this and that were contained in him, and acted excellently and unusually, and even in his youthful flesh he perceived masculine intentions. This great monarch, who broke out in the Turkish War after the capture of Azov, having received peaceful rest, was idle and made it a sin for himself to do nothing. Foreign countries stole his heart with different teachings and arts of speech. He imagined not to be there, as if he would not be in this world at all; not to see and learn the operations of mathematics, the arts of physics, political rules and the most famous civil, military and naval architecture - those and other teachings cannot be adopted and like the most precious goods cannot be brought to Russia, just as if he was destined not to live. It was pitiful to be away from the fatherland and home, away from the mother of his most kindly and kindly family. It was hard to lift youthful restlessness and hopelessness onto the body, and it also lifted the disasters of the road. It was difficult to get over the envious obstacle, both secret and flattering, and overt - he stopped. He so willingly avoided the fatherland for the sake of the fatherland, as if another were leaving captivity and bondage; so he hurried to work, as if someone were to reign; and he worked so cheerfully in the work of the ship and other above-mentioned teachings, as no one sits cheerfully at a wedding feast: he even received what he wanted, even someone else from himself, even the best from himself returned. Well, did he just become the best? Did you really seem good and perfect to yourself? We truly know the spirit of this man, that if he had not communicated his own and his own good to his entire fatherland, he would never have put it into his own good. It was the Russian leader who was direct, not in terms of superiority in terms of power, but in deed itself. As the head of the life-giving spirit created within himself distributes to all members and compositions, so this monarch, having been filled with various corrections, diligently tried to fill all the ranks of his fatherland with the same. And you never know how much he accomplished with his diligence? What we don’t see blooming, and what was previously unknown to us—aren’t these all its plants? Is there even the slightest thing - honest and needy, let's look at the most decorous, I say, attire, and friendly behavior, at meals and feasts and other favorable customs - are we not confessed that Peter taught us this too? And what we once boasted about, we are now ashamed of. What do you decide about arithmetic, geometry and other mathematical arts, which today Russian children eagerly learn, master with joy, and show off what they have acquired with praise! Have you been there before? I don’t know if there was even one circus in the whole state, but other weapons and names have never been heard of; but if there were some arithmetic or geometric action that appeared, then it is called magic. What are we talking about architecture, what was the structure like and what is the structure we see now? There was something that could only serve the extreme need, could protect against the air, from rain, wind and scum, but the present, beyond any fair measure, shines with beauty and splendor. What else about military and naval architecture? Even our painters were not able to depict this correctly before. But by calculating Petrov’s work one by one, we will never reach the end. It is better to lead everything with two forces, which every people demands from their sovereigns: this is the essence public benefit and sadness. Do we want to see the benefit? We look at the governments, the Berg College, the Kamor College, the Commerce College, the Manifactur College and the Chief Magistrate. We look at the many methods established by him, for stopping losses, and for finding profits: at mineral factories, coin houses, doctor's pharmacies, linen, silk and cloth manufactories, at marvelous paper mills, at various merchant ships' buildings and many other things. we have previously unprecedented mastery, and for the most convenient communication from place to place of self-interest, the rivers and dug canals brought together by digging, that is, new fruitful rivers. Do we want to know the different and multifaceted peace of mind and protection of our species? We look at the government of justice - this, with the fear of the righteous sword, protects us from internal insults, misfortunes and other atrocities; to the patrimonial college - this protects everyone’s own boundaries; and while internal harm has increased for our sins, domestic hostility, robbery - there is also our own persecuting army against him. And from external fear, from adversary attack, defending his fatherland, what did he leave behind and what did the many-eyed Peter not do? The Admiralty and military government established a kind of protection and adamantine visor on the seas and on the lands. And what benefits did you include? These marching forts, such as rivers, are strong and formidable, and are suitable not only for defense, but also for offensive war; the fleet, I say, is military, only strong and glorious; These harbors or refuges are safe from the ferocity of the sea and the fiercest enemies of the sea; these constantly multiplying artillery; This is a new one along the borders of a regular fortress. And what else? The fortresses that were taken by storm were for the very sake of being able to crush and reach them with invincible force, imputing that they were not strong, but you did the strongest without comparison. This is the most important place, previously ignominious and unknown in the world, but now, by this glorious reigning Petropolis and only strong forts on the river, on land and at sea, it has been established and decorated - who can properly praise it? Don’t we see Russian benefit and protection here? This is the gate to every gain, this is the castle that reflects all harm: the gate to the sea, when it brings useful and necessary goods to us; the castle is like the sea, when it would bring fears and disasters to us. All that was invented, introduced, created, both for our use and for our protection, so that they could be properly and firmly maintained. And Peter’s vigilant care was about this: whatever was found in the charters and laws of the most efficient states in Europe, suitable for the correction of our fatherland, he took pains to select and collect everything, and he himself added a lot to it and was pleased with the regulations and composed many legal tablets. And so that judges and administrators would not be negligent or corrupt, wanting to have all-seeing human eyes, he established the rank of prosecutors, that is, guardians of truth. And so that every crime, like a viper in a potion, could not be hidden, the rank of fiscal determined and granted it not only the waste of state interest, but also the personal grievances of their subjects to discern and declare, especially poor people who seek courts and justice or for the sake of evil They cannot do it on their own, or for the sake of the power of those who offend they do not dare. Nevertheless, it was approved and concluded by the high government of the Senate. The Senate is the actual arm of the monarch; The Senate is the instrument and government of governments. Other colleges are like oars and sails, and the Senate is the helm. Behold we see countless gains and benefits, behold our reliable protection. And do we see everything, can we conclude everything in a word, with which Peter the Great has abundantly blessed us and made us prosperous and glorious! They may only be surprised, but it’s very awkward to pronounce. Moreover, it is wonderful in wonderful things and wonderful in wonderful things, so we can’t be surprised enough. For if he had used Russia only through military affairs or through political corrections alone, it would have been marvelous. It would be amazing if one thing were done by one, and another by another sovereign: how the Romans praise their first two kings, Romulus and Numa, that he strengthened the fatherland by war and by peace; or, as in sacred history, David created bliss for Israel with weapons, and Solomon created bliss for Israel through politics. But with us, both this and that, and even in countless and varied circumstances, were accomplished by Peter alone. We have Romulus, and Numa, and David, and Solomon - one Peter. It’s not just us who say, all foreign peoples say with surprise; Somehow, last year in 1722, the great Polish ambassador, in the name of his sovereign and the entire republic, publicly confessed in his greeting before the front and face of the Imperial Majesty. And this about military and civil affairs, although unequal in word sentences, sufficiently demonstrates what kind of a ruler our wondrous Peter was. But when we are talking about a Christian sovereign, it is impossible not to ask what he was like in deeds, to another eternal and endless life of the proper ones, for although this immediate title is the rank of pastoral, however, God placed the highest supervision of this on the powers that be. And as kings should not wage war, unless it is either for need or for their own desire, but so that the army acts decently, they must watch, and as if the merchants are not exercising the royal business, but so that there is no deception in the purchase, they must observe the matter there is a royal one. And also understand about philosophical teachings, and about various crafts, and about agriculture, and about all other economics. So, although it is not the duty of the kings to preach the word to affirm piety, yet they have a duty, and a great one, to strive for this, so that there would be direct Christian teaching and the rule of the Church of Christ. The Holy Scripture teaches us a lot about this, especially in the stories of the kings, where in the narration of the lives of the kings the government praises some for doing good to the church, and denounces others for negligence or corruption of the orthodox faith. And for this fulfillment of his royal duties, Constantine the Great is called eminently “bishop” by Eusebius of Caesarea. Did our ever-memorable Peter remain in this glory from the best Israeli and Christian rulers? It seems that it was impossible and there was no time for him to take care of the church when he was all busy with campaigns and military activities, and the construction of the fleet and fortresses, and other countless matters. But just as in everything else, so in this too God showed him to be wondrous: in all that had been taken away from him through the busyness of time, he found time to labor and provide for church correction. And as much as he had a desire for this, we will show him with some examples of his deeds. He knew the darkness and blindness of our false brotherhood and schismatics. Truly unprincipled madness, very spiritual and destructive! And so many poor people are being deceived by these false teachers and perishing! And out of his fatherly compassion, he did not leave a single way to drive away this darkness and enlighten the darkened: he ordered to write exhortations, and instruct with sermons, and with the promise of mercy, and with some kind of oppression, that is, with the gums and necks to ward off error, and to encourage peaceful conversation . And it was not his fruitless care that appeared: we have many thousands of converts in the letter, but stubbornness and stiff-neckedness await bitter condemnation for themselves as if there was no response. He knew the great evil of superstition, which, when it takes you far from God, seems to lead you to God and causes soul-destructive safety; In other sins, a person knows himself to be a sinner, but in superstition he imagines serving God and, thus perishing, thinks of himself that he is being saved, and, having blindfolded himself, sadly approaches the rapids of hell. Knowing and reasoning about this, Peter aroused the pastoral order from sleep, so that vain traditions would be torn out, the power of salvation would not be shown in material rituals, the idolization of icons would be forbidden, and the people would be taught to worship God in spirit and in truth and to please him by keeping the commandments. He knew what harm comes from hypocrisy. For they are hypocrites, pretending to be sacred to themselves, the upright ones are atheists and actually have their bellies in God, but the common people are seduced by their foul profitability, with constant fictions they darken the light of the Gospel and people turn away from the love of God and neighbor - heaven and earth, the church and the fatherland worst enemies. And from this sweet poison he tried to protect the images of his subjects with all sorts of things: he eradicated feigned miracles, dreams, demons, flatterers with tangles, irons and rags, and crafty humility, and abstinence to the appearance of holiness, gilding himself, he taught to know and to catch and to torture. And he hated this damned pharisaism so much that he contained the opposite simple-heartedness, as if it were the best of all (as it truly is), in extreme love. And we have his instruction in eternal memory. At the conference that took place in the Synod on candidates for the episcopal degrees, he uttered this most wise word: “Because,” he said, “it is difficult for us to find someone who is completely suitable for such a cause, who will not be crafty, not cunning, not a hypocrite, but simple-hearted, be both pleasing and worthy to us." And truly a powerful word: for a simple-hearted Christian is led by the spirit of God, and therefore, even without multi-book teaching, he will manage to correct himself and his brother. Peter also knew, and with the great sorrow of his heart he saw how much lack of conscience had multiplied among the Russian people - they would greatly distance themselves from confessing sins and from partaking of the Lord’s Supper. O extreme calamity! They will flee from the fact that we alone have eternal life to blame! This alone delights us in the sorrows of our fall, this will support us, so that we do not fall into despair, this will cover us from the thunder of wrath and judgment of God. Everyone knows what Peter arranged about this. And all that was mentioned, for the benefit that he could know, either from hearing and advice, or from his own reasoning, he did not miss anything. And here belong the schools ordered by him, the works of theological books, ancient teachers and church historians, translations and corrections of the Holy Scriptures; Here we looked at the ancient monastic articles, renewed, and the rules of the priesthood and the entire church clergy, and so that the goodness given by the youth of the direct faith and the commandments of God would begin in the seed and root. And let all this happen, grow and establish a spiritual governing Synod. And behold, O listeners, in our Peter, in whom we first saw a great hero, then we also see an apostle. God showed him such a king, and a Christian king! But oh our most gracious father and most cheerful monarch! Having arranged for us and established all good things, to the temporary and eternal life useful and necessary, knowing that everything on it, as if it stands on the main foundation, always thinking, which many people completely forget, that although in the composition of the body and in the strength of its sovereign dignity it is strong and firm, yet in its earthy nature, incorruption in the first ancestors of the one who destroyed, man is mortal, - took diligent care, as if everything arranged by him not only with him, but also remained intact, and would have surpassed him for a long time, and, having been so established, would indestructibly occur in many centuries. And this is direct royal and paternal care. And they are not so concerned, who only watch for good to happen in their fatherland while they are alive, not at all caring what will happen after their death, not only in a royal and not paternal way, but in a lower economic way and in the likeness of the essence of a traveler, huts or huts those who build, so that they may remain intact even after their departure, they have no thought. What did Peter the Great come up with for the longevity of our benefits? He conceived and created something on which we now see all of us and those of us who are most established. He laid another similar foundation for himself, gave us another for himself, a high-power heir, our Most Serene Augustus Catherine. Having tested her good character by long-term cohabitation, her wisdom and generosity in happy and sad, in happy and calamitous cases, having been contentedly knowing, as before he judged to be worthy of his bed, then he showed her worthy of his throne and not just for honor, as is done in other states , crowned his empire with the diadem, but so that his throne would not be idle even for a short time, and his death would not cause confusion, and blood, and many deaths among the people, as happened before, but I would also die to him, as if I live as a being, peace and silence and his strong state of affairs remained. And this is his intention about the coronation of his wife, in the last 1722, preparing for the Persian campaign, he announced to us. As it happened according to his intention and according to his desire, the ineffable mercy of our God towards us, as in Peter he blessed us, so he blessed us in Catherine. And so Peter, leaving us, not only left us his innumerable wealth, which we have already sufficiently shown, but even leaving us, he did not leave us. This whole thing offered by us to others, who saw him from afar or only heard him, will seem even more amazing, but to all of us who knew him closely in everything, acting and caring, and enjoying his manners and conversations, I remember that this word about him is not only ours. not marvelous, but also not contented and meager. You know, what vividness of memory, sharpness of mind, power of reasoning there was; how the countless number of previous incidents did not prevent him from remembering the present matter; how quickly and purely and sufficiently he answered difficult proposals and questions; how clear and useful he presented the resolution in response to dark and dubious reports. And in this insidious world there is a lot of concealment and flattery, not only between strangers to oneself, but also between one’s own and those at home - you know how he secretly guessed what was being built, and what he wanted to be and where he would go, as if he had prophetically reached and with his danger He anticipated the timing, and how, where appropriate, covered his knowledge, that the teachers of politics denounced dissimulation and in the first reigns they laid down regulations. It was amazing for everyone to be able to easily reason where and from whom he had acquired such wisdom, since he had never studied at any school or academy. But academies were to him cities and countries, republics and monarchies and royal houses, in which he was a guest; there were teachers for him, although they themselves did not know about it, and ambassadors who came to him, and guests, and potentates who treated him, and stewards. Wherever he happened to be, with whomever he happened to talk, he only looked so that this co-presence would not be idle, so that he would not withdraw and disperse without some benefit, without any teaching. What also helped him a lot was that, having studied some European languages, he became weary of frequent reading in historical and educational books. And from such teachings it happened that his conversations about any matter were abundant, although not verbose, and no matter what the word happened, immediately one could hear from him subtle reasoning, and strong arguments, and meanwhile stories, parables, similarities with complete delight and surprise of all those present. But even in theological and other conversations, to hear and not remain silent was not only as usual as others, he was not ashamed, but he also willingly tried, and instructed many in doubt of conscience, led them away from superstition, and led them to the knowledge of the truth, which he did not only with the honest , but also with the simple and thin, especially when it happened with the schismatics. And he had all the weapons ready for that: learned from scriptures dogmas, especially Paul’s epistles, which I firmly cemented in my memory. And such a gift from Petrov to us, who are well-versed and have seen from close and frequent community, is not marvelous, but is it really insufficient, as mentioned, the whole above-mentioned story about military, civil and church affairs and his cares. How much decency and eloquence should exist, which could be decorated and exalted by so many and only honest strengths, virtues, deeds and deeds? And according to one of these, everything requires strong orbital art to be praised. This is our word, with which, although not all, however, many of Peter’s greatness are trying to offer, how can they beautified, which with a quick and simple calculation, and even not all of the circumstances, can it be overcome with difficulty? But why are the rhetorician’s utensils and flowers here? A great deal of virtue does not require external adornment, it is itself honest and red, it is itself a beautiful kindness and a most beautiful face. But would there be some kind of attire that was needed from outside, and that is not to be sought in our meager treasures, but has long been destined for world-wide glory in wealth. Worldwide glory is the preacher worthy of Peter. It is enough for him to add to his eternal name that in all foreign countries we offer him great praise and he is not remembered without surprise. Where will they not say that until now Russia has not had much of a sovereign? Where will they not testify that from him the first and only Russian people appeared, so glorious everywhere and so famous? But we also have our own evidence of this in the Latin gazettes printed in Lipsk, where they report the death of our Peter, calling him the most worthy of immortality. Recently a book came out about his life, the way of conversation. And there, at the beginning, the author shows that Peter surpassed Xerxes, Alexander the Great, and Julius Caesar. And one of the political French writers puts Peter the Russian no less highly than his glorious sovereign, the Great Louis the Great. And also the word is affirmed by another who writes about the inconvenience of our union with the Romans. And how wrong! All these and other monarchs found in their fatherland all kinds of teachings and mastery, a good army and skilled military leaders and city governors. Peter was forced to do all this and start it again, but with these he was able to act and accomplish great things. But this is also praise from foreign people, and private and individual ones, whom it would be powerful to gather even without number, and this is also preached by popular voices. What the great Polish ambassador said about his glory has already been mentioned by us. Remember also what the Persian ambassador said, who, among other praises, likened the glory of his deeds, passing everywhere, to the sun, illuminating the whole world. And when, through our petition, we convinced him to accept the title of Great and Emperor (as he had been before and was named by everyone), this was praised and approved everywhere. What was written after his death from various courts and messages of regret to Her Majesty and with what praises from all the monarchs we were exalted, time will not have time to offer this. You have soared to the very heights of glory, great man! There is no need for us to worry about praise, about your glorification. Didn’t you have the need to envy someone, as others saw the majestic poet, and the memory-preserving statues, and tropes! Your wondrous deeds are your tropes. All of Russia is your statue, remade with considerable craftsmanship from you, which is also faithfully depicted in your emblem; the whole world is both a poet and a preacher of your glory. And when will the worldwide songs and sermons about you fall silent? For is it famous who and where first invented the phalanx, that is, the image of a certain military system and action, and who invented such a weapon or invented a stratagem, and who is the creator of this or that city - about you, who (generally speaking) is very He gave us everything, and not the city, but all of Russia, which already exists, he made and created, when and where will the much-broadcast stories fall silent? Do we also have, about Russians, the highest, for the highest testimony about our Peter? God has testified enough about him, this faithful witness in heaven, who, with his miraculous vision, preserved him in many disasters, in these difficult fortress attacks, in naval battles at sea, in the battle of Lesnoy, where he was exhausted and, frozen, was forced to rest in an unknown place , not knowing his camp; at the Battle of Poltava, where death was as far from him as a hat was from his head; Rod action, that is, in the very jaws of death. God testified about him when he covered him from the traitors who were approaching and repeatedly neighboring him, from the chains tied to his stomach, from the enraged rebels. In all, the most wonderful thing was God’s contempt for him, even as a youth and destined for great glory, which saved him from the possessed cruelty of the archers when those beasts kidnapped the royal servants and relatives not only from home, but also from his hands to be killed. About a terrible time! Was this crime far from the most extreme daring? Finally, God testified about him and at his blessed death, he was present with his powerful grace and gave him such a sense of piety, direct repentance, living and firm faith, as if felt by the right hand of the Most High. It was a wonderful vision and a wondrous shame, which caused many who were present to shed tears at his impending death, and forced them to shed tears of emotion. For when, from those who strengthened him spiritually, he heard the remembrance of the saving death of the Son of God, as if having forgotten his unbearable inner torment, with a cheerful face, even with a dry tongue, he repeatedly exclaimed: “This,” he said, “only quenches my thirst, this alone delights me,” transferring his mind from the material drink with which he soaked his lips to that spiritual and saving coolness. Confirmed again in faith, eyes and hands, as much as he could, lifting up the mountain, “I believe,” he said, “Lord, and I trust. I believe, Lord, help my unbelief.” When speech became very impoverished, and then in response to frequent proposals about the vanity of this world, about the mercy of God and about the eternal reign in heaven, and stood up, and raised his hand up the mountain, and depicted the sign of the cross, and made his face happy, and very in illness he triumphed, like an undoubted heir to eternal blessings. This is what the long-suffering monarch acted through all the time of his mortal feat, which continued until fifteen hours. And although on the sixth day of his suffering, after confessing his sins, he received communion of the body and blood of the Lord, but in this ascetic struggle he was asked if he still wanted Christ’s supper, showing his desire with a raised hand, and was still worthy to eat. The flow, O listeners, of God’s goodness to our father, both in his life and in his death, shows that he does not demand such universal praise for himself. His praises are our praises; He has achieved heavenly glory with Christ, he regards everything earthly as nothing, and we are forced to praise and glorify him, it seems to me, these or similar words answer. “As you cry for me, so glorify me, my sons, there is little to eat. I escaped from a much-rebellious and much-poor dwelling, even if, in your opinion, the great one is happy, and this is not crying, but it is worthy to eat joy. I received an unfading crown from the all-generous lover of mankind, who was merciful to me for the blood of his son, who received as his inheritance, and this surpasses all your earthly glory without comparison and shows that it is indecent. And if there is any benefit in the glory acquired from me on earth, it is yours. And If you want to preserve this intact, preserve my deeds, do not forget my instructions, and above all, with unfeigned love and fidelity, serve my most beloved heir, given from God through me to the autocrat, and at the same time have zeal for all my dear blood. May you not be deprived of heavenly life; continue in the struggle of life, so that you may reach this all-blessed bridge.” Let us put an end to words, let us put a moderation in the storehouse and tears. As it is inconvenient to glorify him according to his heritage, we cannot even cry enough about his taking away, even if water and a fountain of tears were given to our head, which the mournful prophet desired. But although, in praising Peter, we will not achieve his glory with words, we will nevertheless pay something from our filial duty. And by lamenting and weeping without measure, we will create an insult to his virtue, and we will sin no little against his glory, for in this way we will show that by depriving him of all the benefits we have been deprived, as it befits to cry for the dead youth of great hopes, with whom everything hoped for by him is dying. Peter is ours, having done much good for us and made us the best of us, although he forces us to weep with his departure, he also commands us to rejoice in his countless good deeds and those who did not die with him. May you too, our most sovereign empress, all-Russian mother, use all your generosity, all your wisdom, so as to quench and overcome your great sorrow! The Fatherland prays to you for this, so that you do not increase the common sorrow, but just as you are joyful with your possession, so will you please everyone with your joy. He seeks this and asks you for blood, and your tribe, and your kinship, all the high family, so that you do not take the guilt of consolation from them, and do not allow their flower to fade. Peter demands this of you, so that you may not hold his scepter with a weakened hand, so that you can confirm what he did, so you can do something similar. But God himself also commands you, so that this pitiful darkness will not darken his mercy in you. Having refused to be comforted, remember God and rejoice. He chose you with wondrous destinies, combined Peter and raised you to such a height, he will establish you and create comfort for you. Trust in him; Peter alone trusted in him. And who preserved Peter in all his ways, will preserve you too. O Lord, may your mercy be upon us, as we trust in you! Our Peter always raised this voice to you, and we raise this voice from the depths of our hearts. And do not cease to have mercy on your anointed, our autocrat, and turn her sorrow into sweetness, and strengthen her power, and with her, bless our entire fatherland with peace, serenity, an abundance of earthly fruits and all blessings. Amen.Hello dears.
Today, perhaps, we will finish with chapter 4 of a wonderful novel in verse. Let me remind you that last time we stopped with you here:
So...
What to do in the wilderness at this time?
Walk? The village at that time
Involuntarily bothers the eye
Monotonous nakedness.
Ride on horseback in the harsh steppe?
But a horse with a blunted horseshoe
Unfaithful catching the ice,
Just wait for it to fall.
Sit under a desert roof,
Read: here is Pradt, here is W. Scott.
Do not want? - check the consumption
Be angry or drink, and the evening will be long
Somehow it will pass, but tomorrow it will be the same,
And you will have a wonderful winter.
Getting angry and drinking are two pastimes that are still in the top popularity of our people :-) Just like racing on ice. Only the live horse was replaced by, as O. Bender said, a “steel horse” :-)
Dominique Pradt, or rather Dominique Georges Frédéric de Riom de Proliac du Four de Pradt, is the abbot and confessor of Napoleon, the author of good memoirs, and W. Scott is the same famous Scottish novelist and poet Walter Scott (1771-1832), whom we I read everything in my youth. Ivanhoe and all that :-)) Another question is why his name is in English. Really without translation?
Direct Onegin Childe Harold
I fell into thoughtful laziness:
From sleep he sits in an ice bath,
And then, at home all day,
Alone, immersed in calculations,
Armed with a blunt cue,
He's playing billiards with two balls
Plays since the morning.
The village evening will come:
Billiards is left, the cue is forgotten,
The table is set in front of the fireplace,
Evgeniy is waiting: Lensky is coming
On a trio of roan horses;
Let's have lunch quickly!
What do we learn from this passage? That Evgeniy loves Batifon (a type of billiard game) and also an ice bath. As far as I understand, this is autobiographical, because Pushkin himself practiced this.
Veuve Clicquot or Moët
Blessed Wine
In a frozen bottle for a poet
It was immediately brought to the table.
It sparkles with Hypocrene;
With its play and foam
(Like this and that)
I was captivated: for him
The last poor mite used to be
I gave it. Do you remember, friends?
His magic stream
She gave birth to quite a few stupid things,
And how many jokes and poems,
And disputes, and funny dreams!
But changes with noisy foam
It's in my stomach
And I'm Bordeaux prudent
Nowadays I prefer him.
I am no longer capable of Ai;
Ai is like a mistress
Brilliant, windy, alive,
Both wayward and empty...
But you, Bordeaux, are like a friend,
Who, in thick and thin,
Comrade always, everywhere,
Ready to do us a favor
Or to share quiet leisure time.
Long live Bordeaux, our friend!
Well, let's go :-))) Just some real Ode to alcohol :-) Veuve Clicquot and Moet and Chandon are varieties of champagne (by the way, we will talk about them and many others on Friday. So - don't miss it :-)) Ay is a small town in Champagne, one of the centers for the cultivation of sparkling wines. Well, the author himself prefers the “quiet” Bordeaux wine :-))) And I understand him perfectly. We talked a little about Bordeaux here:
Well, Hypocrene is a source of poetic inspiration in Ancient Greece :-)
The fire went out; barely ash
The coal is covered with gold;
A barely noticeable stream
Steam billows and warmth
The fireplace is breathing a little. Smoke from pipes
It goes down the pipe. Light cup
It still hisses in the middle of the table.
Evening darkness finds...
(I love friendly lies
And a friendly glass of wine
Sometimes the one that is named
It's time between the wolf and the dog,
Why, I don’t see.)
Now friends are talking:
Eh...how beautifully the right gatherings are described. very clear and good :-))) Well, it’s time between the wolf and the dog... - this is what early twilight is sometimes called. At approximately 8 p.m. But let's get back to the story...
“Well, what about the neighbors? What about Tatyana?
Why is Olga your frisky?”
- Pour me another half glass...
That's enough, honey... The whole family
Healthy; ordered to bow.
Oh, darling, how prettier you are
Olga has shoulders, what a chest!
What a soul!.. Someday
Let's visit them; you will oblige them;
Otherwise, my friend, judge for yourself:
I looked twice, and there
You can’t even show your nose to them.
Well... what a fool I am!
You were called to see them last week.—
What else can 2 healthy, mature men talk about? Well, of course, about the female....uh...soul :-)))
"I?" - Yes, Tatyana’s name day
On Saturday. Olenka and mother
They told me to call, but there is no reason
You should not come when called.—
“But there will be a lot of people there
And all that rabble..."
- And, no one, I’m sure!
Who will be there? your own family.
Let's go, do me a favor!
Well, well? - “I agree.” - How sweet you are! -
With these words he drank
A glass, an offering to a neighbor,
Then we started talking again
About Olga: such is love!
He was cheerful. In two weeks
A happy time was appointed.
And the secret of the wedding bed,
And a sweet wreath of love
His delight was expected.
Hymen of troubles, sorrows,
Cold streak of yawns
He never dreamed of it.
Meanwhile, we, the enemies of Hymen,
IN home life we see alone
A series of tedious pictures,
A novel in the taste of Lafontaine...
My poor Lensky, he is at heart
He was born for this life.
Well, Hymen, as you already guessed, is Hymen - the god of marriage and marital relations. La Fontaine here is not a well-known French fable writer, but the other is August La Fontaine (1759-1831) - a third-rate German novelist who enjoyed at the end of the 18th century. successful and formerly popular. But the question haunts me - what kind of sweet love wreath, A? Is this what I was thinking, my little spoiled friends? :-)))) What do you think?
He was loved... at least
That's what he thought, and he was happy.
A hundred times blessed is he who is devoted to faith,
Who, having calmed the cool mind,
Resting in heartfelt bliss,
Like a drunken traveler at an overnight stop,
Or, more tenderly, like a moth,
Into the spring flower stuck;
But pathetic is the one who foresees everything,
Whose head isn't spinning?
Who is all the movements, all the words
In their translation hates,
Whose heart has been cooled by experience?
And forbade anyone to forget!
That's all! You and I have “finished off” chapter 4. But the best, as usual, is yet to come :-))
To be continued...
Have a nice time of day.
6. And you, haters of virtue and its admirers, have not invented anything new. Sick eyes cannot stand the sun, nocturnal animals flee from the radiance of the day, the first rays of the sun plunge them into stupor, and they rush to hide in their holes, hide in holes and crevices, just so as not to see the light that is terrible for them. Howl, grind, exercise your unfortunate tongues in blasphemy of good people. Open your mouth and bite: you will sooner break your teeth than they will notice your bite.
Chapter XXI
1. “Why does this adherent of philosophy live so richly? Does he himself teach you to despise wealth and yet have it yourself? Teaches you to despise life, but lives? Teaches you to despise health, but he takes care of it like no one else and tries to have the best possible? He says that exile is an empty phrase: “For what’s wrong with changing places?” - but he prefers to grow old in his homeland? He declares that he does not see the difference between a long and a short life, but why then does he himself dream of a long, healthy old age and will make every effort to live longer?
2. Yes, he argues that all these things should be despised, but not so much as not to have them, but only so much as to have them without worrying; not in such a way as to drive them away yourself, but in such a way as to calmly watch them go away. And where is it more profitable for fortune itself to place its wealth? - Of course, to a place where you can pick them up without listening to the pitiful cries of the temporary owner.
3. Marcus Cato always glorified Curius and Coruncanius, and the whole century when several plates of silver constituted a crime in the eyes of the censor; however, he himself had forty million sesterces, less, of course, than Crassus, but more than Cato the Censor. In this comparison, he will be separated from his great-grandfather by a much greater distance than from Crassus, but if he suddenly got more wealth, he would not give it up.
4. The fact is that the sage does not at all consider himself unworthy of the gifts of chance: he does not like wealth, but prefers it to poverty. He accepts him, only not into his heart, but into his home. He does not reject with contempt what he has, but keeps it for himself, believing that the property will provide material reinforcement for his virtue.
Chapter XXII
1. Can there be any doubt that wealth provides the sage with much more abundant material for the application of the abilities of his spirit than poverty? After all, poverty helps one to practice only one kind of virtue: not to bend and not allow oneself to fall into despair; wealth provides a vast field of activity for both moderation and generosity, for accuracy, stewardship and generosity.
2. The sage will not be ashamed of his short stature, but still he would prefer to be tall and slender. Of course, a sage can feel great, having a frail body or having lost an eye, but he would still prefer bodily health and strength, although he knows that he has much greater strength.
3. He will patiently endure ill health, but will wish himself well. There are things from a higher point of view that are insignificant; if you take them away, the main good will not suffer at all; however, they add something to that continuous joy that is born from virtue: wealth makes a wise man happy and acts on him in much the same way as on a sailor - a good tailwind, like a fine day, like the sun suddenly warmed up in the middle of a dark, frosty winter.
4. Further, all the wise men - I mean our wise men, for whom the only good is virtue - admit that even among those things that are called indifferent, some are still preferable to others and even have a certain value. Some of them are quite respectable, others are very respectable. And so that you do not doubt, I will clarify: wealth is certainly a preferable thing.
5. Here you, of course, can exclaim: “So why are you mocking me if wealth means the same thing for you and me?” - No, it’s far from the same thing; want to know why? If what is mine floats away from me, then it will take nothing away from me except itself. It will amaze you; It will seem to you that, having lost your fortune, you have lost yourself. Wealth plays a certain role in my life; in yours - the main one. In a word, I own my wealth, your wealth owns you.
Chapter XXIII
1. So, stop reproaching philosophers with wealth: no one condemned wisdom to poverty. Nothing will prevent a philosopher from owning a substantial fortune if it is not taken from anyone, not stained with blood, not desecrated by injustice, not accumulated by dirty interest; if income and expenses are equally honest, without causing grief to anyone except the villains. Increase your fortune as much as you want, what's shameful about that? Wealth, which everyone would like to call their own, but of which no one can call their own, is not shameful, but honorable.
2. Such an honestly acquired fortune will not turn away the favor of fortune from the philosopher, will not make him either arrogant or blush. However, he will have something to be proud of if he can open wide the doors of his house and declare, allowing his fellow citizens to inspect everything he owns: “Let everyone take away what he recognizes as his own.” Truly great is that man and blessed is his wealth if, after such a call, he preserves everything he had! I will say this: whoever can calmly and without embarrassment expose his property for public viewing, confident that no one will find anything to lay his hands on there, will be openly and boldly rich.
3. A wise man will not allow into his house a single denarius that has come in an evil way; but he will not reject the gifts of fortune and the fruits of his virtue, no matter how great they may be. Indeed, why should one refuse them a good welcome? Let them come, they will be greeted as dear guests. He will neither boast of money, nor hide it (the first is a property of a vain spirit, the second - a cowardly and petty one, which would like, if possible, to shove all his goods into his bosom), and will not, as I already said, throw them out of Houses.
4. After all, he won’t say: “You are of no use” or: “I don’t know how to manage you.” He can make a long journey on foot, but he would prefer, if possible, to use a carriage. Likewise, being poor, if possible, he would prefer to become rich. So, a real philosopher will be rich, but he will treat his wealth lightly, as if it were a volatile and fickle substance, and will not tolerate it causing any hardship to himself or others.
5. He will give gifts... - but why are you pricking up your ears? What are you putting out your pockets for? - ...he will begin to give gifts to good people or those whom he is able to make good. He will not begin to distribute gifts before he has selected, after careful consideration, the most worthy, like a person who remembers that he will have to give an account not only of income, but also of expenses. He will make gifts based on the requirements of what is due and fair, for meaningless gifts are one of the types of shameful extravagance. His pocket will be open, but not full of holes: a lot will be taken out of it, but nothing will spill out.
Chapter XXIV
1. Anyone who thinks that nothing is easier than giving is mistaken: this is an extremely difficult matter if you distribute it with meaning, and not scatter it as necessary, obeying the first impulse. Here is the person to whom I owe, and to this I return the debt; I will come to the aid of this one, and I will regret that one; here is a worthy person who needs to be supported so that poverty does not lead him astray or completely crush him; I will not give to these, despite their need, because even if I give, their need will not decrease; I will offer it to someone myself, I will even force it on someone. In such a matter, negligence cannot be allowed: gifts are the best investment of money.
2. “How? Do you, philosopher, give in order to receive income? - In any case, in order not to incur losses. Gifts should be invested in a place where you can expect a refund, but do not demand it. We place our blessings like a deeply buried treasure: you will not dig it up unless necessary.
3. The house of a rich man itself is a vast field for charitable activities. We call generosity "freedom" - "liberalitas" - not because it should be directed only at the free, but because its source is the free spirit. Who will say that generosity should only be shown to those dressed in a toga? Nature tells me to benefit people regardless of whether they are slaves or free, freeborn or freedmen, freed by law or friendship - what difference does it make? Where there is a person, there is a place for good deeds. So you can practice generosity and give away money without crossing your own threshold. The generosity of a sage never turns to the unworthy and vile, but it does not dry up and, having met a worthy person, pours out every time, as if from a cornucopia.
4. Honest, bold, courageous speeches of those who strive for wisdom will not give you any reason for misinterpretation. Just remember: the one who strives for wisdom is not yet the sage who has achieved the goal. This is what the first one will tell you: “My speeches are excellent, but I myself still revolve among countless evils. Don’t demand that I now conform to my rules: after all, I’m busy making myself, shaping myself, trying to raise myself to an unattainable standard. If I reach my intended goal, then demand that my deeds correspond to my words.” The second one, who has reached the pinnacle of human good, will turn to you differently and say this: “First of all, why on earth do you allow yourself to judge people who are better than you? I myself, fortunately, already inspire hostility in all bad people, and this proves that I am right.
5. But so that you understand why I do not envy any mortal, listen to what I think about various things in life. Wealth is not a blessing; if it were, it would make people good; but this is not so; and since what we find in bad people cannot be called good, I do not agree to call it by that name. Otherwise, I admit that it is useful, provides many conveniences in life, and therefore should be had.
Chapter XXV
1. Well, it turns out that both you and I equally believe that wealth should be had; Listen, then, why I do not consider it one of the blessings and in what way I treat it differently than you. Let me be settled in the richest house, where even the most ordinary objects will be made only of gold and silver - I will not be proud, for all this, although it surrounds me, is only on the outside. Take me to the Sublician Bridge and throw me among the beggars: I will not feel humiliated, sitting with my hand outstretched among the beggars. Does it really matter to someone who has the opportunity to die that he doesn’t have a crust of bread? What is the conclusion from this? I would prefer a resplendent palace to a dirty bridge.
2. Place me among dazzling luxury and exquisite decoration: I will not consider myself happier because I am sitting on something soft and my tablemates are reclining on purple. Give me a different bed: I won’t feel any more miserable when I rest my tired head on an armful of hay or lie down to rest on the cut straw that crawls out through the holes in the old canvas. What is the conclusion from this? I would prefer to walk in pretext than to flash my bare shoulder blades through the holes in my rags.
3. Let all my days be one more successful than the other, let congratulations rush to me on new successes when the old ones have not yet faded away: I will not admire myself. Take away this temporary mercy from me: let losses, losses, grief strike my spirit blow after blow; let every hour bring a new misfortune; Among the sea of misfortunes, I will not call myself unhappy, I will not curse a single day; for I have foreseen everything so that not a single day can become black for me. What is the conclusion from this? I would rather refrain from excessive gaiety than suppress excessive sorrow."
4. And this is what this Socrates will tell you: “If you want, make me the conqueror of all the nations of the world, let the magnificently decorated chariot of Bacchus carry me at the head of triumph from the sunrise to Thebes, let all the kings come to ask me to establish them in the kingdom, - at that very moment, when I will be called God from all sides, I will most clearly understand that I am a man. If you want, suddenly, without warning, throw me off this dazzling peak; let the dizzying change of fortune place me on a foreign litter, and I adorn the solemn procession of the arrogant and wild conqueror: dragging behind someone else's chariot, I will feel no more humiliated than when I stood on my own. What is the conclusion from this? And such that I would still prefer to win rather than be captured. (5) Yes, the entire kingdom of fortune will receive nothing from me but contempt; but if given a choice, I'll take the best. Everything that befalls me will turn into good, but I prefer that it be more convenient, pleasant and less painful for the one who will have to turn it into good. Do not think, of course, that any virtue can be acquired without difficulty; but the fact is that some virtues need spurs, and others need a rein.
6. It’s like with a body: when going downhill, you need to hold it, when going uphill, you need to push it forward; So, virtues can be directed either downhill or uphill. Everyone will agree that patience, courage, perseverance and all other virtues, when opposed to cruel circumstances and subjugating fortune, climb the mountain, resist, struggle. (7) And it is equally obvious that generosity, moderation, meekness are going downhill. Here we restrain our spirit so that it does not rush forward, there we drive it, urge it, push it in the most cruel way. So, in poverty we will need more courageous, militant virtues; in wealth - more refined, striving to restrain their pace and keep themselves in balance.
8. In the face of such division, I will always prefer those that can be practiced calmly to those that require blood and sweat. Thus,” the sage will conclude his speech, “my life does not diverge from my words; It’s you who don’t hear them well: your ears only catch the sound of the words, and you’re not even interested in asking what they mean.”
Chapter XXVI
1. “But what is the difference between me, a fool, and you, a sage, if we both want to have it?” - Very large: for a wise man, wealth is a slave, for a foolish man it is a master; the wise man does not allow his wealth anything, it allows you everything; you get used to and become attached to your wealth as if someone promised you eternal possession of it, and the sage, drowning in wealth, then thinks most of all about poverty.
2. Not a single commander will rely on a truce to such an extent as to abandon preparations for an already declared war, even if it is not being waged for the time being; and one beautiful house makes you think about yourself and lose your idea of reality, as if it could neither burn down nor collapse; a lot of money makes you deaf and blind, as if it will take all dangers away from you, as if fortune does not have the strength to destroy it instantly.
3. Wealth is the plaything of your idleness. You do not see the dangers contained in it, just as barbarians in a besieged city do not suspect the purpose of siege weapons and lazily watch the work of the enemy, unable to understand why all these structures are being erected at such a distance. So do you: when everything is fine, you relax, instead of thinking about how many unfortunate accidents await you from all sides. They are just about ready to launch an attack and capture precious booty.
4. A wise man, if his wealth is suddenly taken away from him, will not lose anything from his property; he will live as he lived, satisfied with the present, confident in the future. “The firmest among my convictions,” Socrates or someone else, endowed with the same right and power to judge human affairs, will tell you, “is not to change the structure of my life to please your opinions. From all sides I hear your usual speeches, but to me it’s not scolding, but the squeak of unfortunate newborn babies.”
5. This will be said to you by one who is fortunate enough to have achieved wisdom and whose spirit free from vices tells him to reproach others - not out of hatred, but in the name of healing. And this is what he will add: “Your opinion worries me not because of me, but because of you, for those who hate virtue and persecute it with hooting forever renounce the hope of correction. You don’t offend me, but neither do the gods offend those who overturn altars. However, bad intentions and evil designs do not become better because they cannot cause harm.
6. I perceive your nonsense in the same way as, probably, the all-good and greatest Jupiter - the obscene inventions of poets who present him as either winged, or horned, or as a fornicator who does not spend the night at home; cruel to the gods and unjust to people; kidnapper of free people and even relatives; a parricide who unlawfully seized his father’s throne and another’s in addition. The only thing that such works achieve is to free people from any shame for their sins: they say, why be ashamed if the gods themselves are like that.
7. Your insults do not offend me at all, but for your own sake I warn you: respect virtue, believe those who themselves have steadily followed it and now magnify it before you: time will pass, and it will appear in even greater greatness. Honor virtue as gods, and those who profess it as priests, and let your tongues reverence at every mention of sacred writings. This word: “favete” - “revere” does not at all come from benevolent approval - “favor”, it does not call you to shouts and applause, as in the circus, but commands you to remain silent so that the sacred rite can be performed as expected, not interrupted by inappropriate noise and chatter. It is doubly necessary for you to carry out this command and, whenever the words of this oracle are heard, close your mouth to listen carefully.
8. After all, you all come running to listen when some hired liar strums his horn on the street, when some skilled self-torturer begins to cut, though not with a very firm hand, his forearms and shoulders, filling them with blood; when some woman crawls along the road on her knees, howling; when an old man in linen clothes, holding in front of him a laurel branch and a lantern lit in broad daylight, goes to shout that he has angered one of the gods - you all freeze, amazed, and, infecting each other with fear, you believe that this is - heralds of the deity."
Chapter XXVII
1. This is what Socrates calls out from the prison, which was cleansed as soon as he entered it, and became more honorable than any curia: “What kind of madness, what kind of nature, hostile to gods and people, forces you to revile virtue and insult the shrine with evil speeches? If you can, praise good people, if you can’t, pass by; and if you are unable to restrain your vile licentiousness, attack each other: for to turn your insane abuse to heaven, I will not say that it is blasphemy, but a wasted effort.
2. At one time, I myself became the target of Aristophanes’ jokes, and after him the other squad of comic poets moved, pouring out on me the entire stock of their poisonous witticisms, and so what? These attacks only increased the fame of my virtue. It is useful for her when they put her up like a slave for sale, and poke fingers at her, testing her strength, besides, there is no better way to find out what she is worth and what her strength is than to get into a fight with her and try to beat her: the hardness of granite best known to stone cutters.
3. Here I am, standing like a rock on the shallows of the sea, and the waves are constantly beating down on me, but they cannot move me or break me, although their attacks have not stopped for centuries. Attack, hit: I will endure everything, and this is my victory over you. Those who attack an insurmountable stronghold will use their strength for their own evil; therefore, look for a soft and pliable target to shoot your arrows into. (4) You have nothing to occupy yourself with, and you embark on an investigation of other people’s shortcomings, pronouncing your verdicts: “Does this philosopher live too spaciously and does not dine too luxuriously?” You notice other people's pimples, but you yourself are covered with purulent ulcers. So a freak, covered from head to toe with fetid scabs, would make fun of moles or warts on the most beautiful bodies.
5. Blame Plato for seeking money, Aristotle for taking, Democritus for despising, Epicurus for spending; Blame Alcibiades and Phaedrus myself - you, who at the first opportunity will rush to imitate all our vices, overwhelmed with happiness!
6. Take a better look at your own vices, at the evil that besieges you from all sides, gnawing at you from the outside, scorching your very insides with fire! If you do not want to know your own situation, then at least understand that human affairs in general are now in such a state that you have a lot of leisure left to scratch your tongue, blaming people better than you.
Chapter XXVIII
1. But you don’t understand this and put on a good face at a bad performance, like people sitting in a circus or theater and have not yet had time to receive sad news from a house already plunged into mourning. But I look from above and see what clouds are gathering above your heads, threatening to explode into a storm in the near future, and some are already hanging close over you and your goods. And even more than that: hasn’t a terrible squall already captured your souls, even though you don’t feel it, hasn’t it spun them in a whirlwind, forcing them to run away from one, rush blindly to another, now lifting them up under the clouds, now throwing them into the abyss?.. »
Annals, 16, 17).
The elder brother, Gallio, achieved the highest positions: he was consul-suffect, and then proconsul in Achaia, where he became famous not as an Orator, but as a judge of the Apostle Paul: “During Gallio’s proconsulate in Achaia, the Jews unanimously attacked Paul and brought him before the judgment seat , saying that he teaches people to honor God not according to the law. When Paul wanted to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: Jews! If there were any offense or malicious intent, then I would have a reason to listen to you; but when there is a dispute about names and about your law, then sort it out for yourself: I don’t want to be a judge in this. And he drove them away from the judgment seat. And all the Greeks, having seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, beat him before the judgment seat, and Gallio did not care at all about this" ( Acts of the Holy Apostles, 18, 12-17). Upon returning to Rome, “...Junius Gallio, horrified by the murder of his brother Seneca and humbly begging for mercy, was attacked by Salien Clement with accusations, calling him an enemy and a murderer...” (). It is not known whether he committed suicide at the same time, in 65, or a little later. In philosophy, Gallio, as can be seen from Seneca’s dialogue addressed to him, adhered to Epicurean views, but at the same time, in wealth and love for luxury and grace, he was apparently much inferior to his Stoic brother, who preached ascetic self-restraint, but lived quite like an Epicurean. The impeccability of life and the circumstances of death, extraordinary abilities combined with courage and modesty, emphasized loyalty to ancient Roman traditions (“ancestral customs”), justified by the arguments of Stoic philosophy - all this made him an ideal hero, exemplum - the embodiment of Roman and Stoic virtue. A year after Cato's death, Cicero wrote a word of praise about him as the last and greatest defender of freedom. For Seneca, Cato the Younger and Socrates are two examples of true wisdom, two perfect “sages”. Cato's actions and words illustrate the discourse on virtue in all of Seneca's treatises without exception.
Blessed is he who visited this world in its fatal moments!?
Let me remind you: these two lines, known to almost everyone, were written by Fyodor Ivanovich Tyutchev. The beginning and what follows, I’m sure few people remember - I didn’t remember until recently either. For clarity, I quote the entire short verse:
CICERO
The Roman orator spoke
Amid civil storms and anxiety:
"I got up late - and on the road
Rome was caught at night!"
So!.. But, saying goodbye to Roman glory,
From the Capitoline Heights
You saw it in all its greatness
The sunset of her bloody star!..
Blessed is he who has visited this world
His moments are fatal!
He was called by the all-good
As a companion at a feast.
He is a spectator of their high spectacles,
He was admitted to their council -
And alive, like a celestial being,
Immortality drank from their cup!
<1829>, early 1830s
Now everything is clear with Fyodor Ivanovich’s statement. He gave a completely plausible argument for “bliss”. There is, however, one hidden point here: in Russian the word “blessed” has another meaning. Crazy, holy fool, etc. We will leave this implicit contradiction from the field of linguistic dialectics for later.
But what to do with the exact opposite expression, which has become an aphorism, which many also know: the ancient Chinese curse “may you live in an era of change.”
Obviously, they are essentially contradictory to each other. And neither of them can be written off as an expense - both are confirmed by difficult human history. Well, let's find out...
Let's start with Tyutchev. He is known to many as a poet; many romances based on his words have been composed. But he is also one of the outstanding Russian thinkers of the Pushkin era. Many of his poems speak about this: the extraordinary depth of philosophical comprehension of the essence of phenomena. True, as far as I know, he is not recognized in this capacity by the Slavic scientific community. I’m generally silent about the Western.
Let's go back to the very beginning: why this article at all? Not only for establishing the truth in a philosophical dispute, who is right - this can be important for science. No less important, for purely “psychotherapeutic” purposes. (Although, judging by the responses of readers to my ???? works, some claim that they did not authorize me to provide, as I call it, advisory and informational assistance to them personally. Well, oh well, I’m not going to be forcefully nice, and supporters for myself I’m not recruiting. Those who need it will accept the offered help. Or: it would be offered to you...).
After all, it is very difficult to survive in today’s Ukraine. And not only because of the poverty or misery of the overwhelming number of ordinary workers and those who already or cannot yet earn a living. Everyone knows about this now, except perhaps for a handful of assorted fanatics who have finally let the people down. Many people, having been under extreme stress for a long time, have been brought to the brink of mental spasm, depression, insanity, and suicide over these five hard years. I'm not even talking about various ailments from constant malnutrition. It would be fair to help them - with a stern but healing word.
Human life is short, we know that. As a rule, there are few joys in it, more sorrows. This is how the human world works, and it is useless to argue with it. You can ask questions “why” - but it’s smarter to leave them to the children. And it’s time for adults to ask “why.” And try to figure out what laws of nature. And, perhaps, to see at least a drop of positivity offered in the hardships of our days...
Indeed, the entire world of today has entered an era of change—big change. Not only changing his face, visible to everyone. His very essence began to change - and this rarely happens. And its fate depends on how successfully people are able to take advantage of these changes. This is without apocalyptic predictions, of which there have been plenty since ancient times. So poetry and art history have nothing to do with it - the conversation, as usual in my works, is about the problem of global survival. Responsible leaders of many states today rightly declare that this is a common chance to improve life on the planet, an impetus for the development of national states, and for all active people who stimulate the development of society. We won’t argue with this – that’s fair. Let us just emphasize the main thing: in whose interests this development will actually be carried out. If it is in the interest of the majority of humanity, then there is a chance. If, as usually happens, the forces that control the world from behind the scenes manage to take advantage of the situation, then things will end badly. For everyone, and for them too - only five billion will not be any easier.
But here we are only talking about how to perceive the fact that we have all found ourselves in this era. Like bliss, that is, happiness - at least good luck. Or like sorrow, misfortune.
Of course, the vast majority of people perceive this as misfortune - and they are right. This brings them nothing but difficulties and grief. So the Chinese were right! Moreover, any wisdom, even ancient, applies, as a rule, to the entire human race.
The exception is only a small part of this very genus. These are active people - with a highly dynamic psyche, capable of taking advantage of big changes as an impulse, an opportunity to realize their ideas and life plans. In any society there are, according to various estimates, about 10%. Approximately the same number cannot adapt to these radical changes at all - and, in the most general sense, move into the broad category of marginals. People displaced by the process of change to the periphery of society. Or beyond it altogether. The remaining approximately 80% adapt with greater or lesser success. Age is of great importance in this case - for obvious reasons, it is easier for youth to perceive changes and adapt to them. A more plastic psyche. That's the whole schedule. In this sense, Tyutchev, by default, included the active ones in the host of “almighty rulers,” i.e., those participating in determining the fate of the world. And this is precisely where the hidden dialectic of Russian words lies. From such “bliss”, out of habit, you can lose your mind. Become something of a holy fool.
This is such a wide range of adaptive reactions - and all this is determined by the objective laws of human nature. Without division by social status, level of education, profession.
There are several categories of such “blessed” ones. Among them there are especially many people from business, art, and politics. It is clear that big and dramatic changes open up exceptional opportunities for them. And many of them manage to implement them. Everyone can find examples in abundance in modern history- especially on our Slavic lands over the last quarter of a century. This even extends to the statistics of large numbers, that is, reliability.
A special group consists of people of science. This exception applies to them too. Of course, not for everyone. Mainly for those working in its new, border and interface industries. And especially for those concerned with the problems of human nature and society. For many of them, such times are a gift of fate.
Indeed, this is an opportunity to get closer to understanding the essence of things, as Shakespeare said. After all, hidden in a calm environment, it is revealed precisely at such periods of time. After all, the point here is not only the talent, passion and hard work of the scientist - “tireless thinking,” as Pavlov formulated it. Favorable moments are also important - precisely the time of big changes. A kind of “window of deep knowledge”.
From their point of view, getting into such an era is, of course, a rare and great success. It’s even a stretch to say happiness. Only heavy. Remember, as in the song: “...This is joy with tears in the eyes...”. Something like that.
The price for such “luck” is therefore high. But “Paris is worth a mass,” as they have been repeating since ancient times. Tyutchev, as a man of deep philosophical mind, undoubtedly knew about this, but kept silent. I am convinced that it was not out of harm or cunning - it just happened. So as not to inadvertently frighten those who are especially sensitive.
I am a convinced materialist and, of course, I cannot feel like I’m at a feast with the celestials. But I have felt the exclusivity of this period, including in my own life, for a long time - dealing with the problem of global survival. Especially since 2008, when the financial and economic crisis naturally broke out. The moment of truth has finally arrived for the entire civilization. Who will no longer be able to hide her head in the sand, as happened before. History will not allow it - and she is a very willful lady (and if in the dry language of science, objective). It will cost you too much to go against it.
This is the whole essence of the proposed resolution of this contradiction between Russian and ancient Chinese wisdom. It is clearly dialectical - and exists according to one of the three laws of dialectics: the unity and struggle of opposites. Moreover, this is true for the nature of any things and phenomena in nature. We are seeing this right now, not only in our personal lives, but throughout the entire planet. In an aggravated form.
And again about my own: well, if we talk about us, one can only remember with horror the five lost years of the life of an entire country. This, undoubtedly, only for those who did not know what they were doing could smell like bliss. But now that Ukraine has a new President, there are chances for survival. And it made sense to try as hard as anyone can.
Sergey Kamensky, February 20, 2010.
Odessa, Ukraine, planet Earth “under the rays of a star called the Sun”...
