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poverty； which I was unable to remedy； I perceived that its prime
cause is this； that I take absolute necessaries from the dwellers in
the country； and carry them all to the city。 The second cause is
this； that by making use here； in the city； of what I have collected
in the country； I tempt and lead astray； by my senseless luxury；
those country people who come hither because of me； in order in some
way to get back what they have been deprived of in the country。＇ ｛13｝
CHAPTER XIV。
I reached the same conclusion from a totally different point。 On
recalling all my relations with the city poor during that time； I saw
that one of the reasons why I could not help the city poor was； that
the poor were disingenuous and untruthful with me。 They all looked
upon me； not as a man； but as means。 I could not get near them； and
I thought that perhaps I did not understand how to do it； but without
uprightness； no help was possible。 How can one help a man who does
not disclose his whole condition？ At first I blamed them for this
（it is so natural to blame some one else）； but a remark from an
observing man named Siutaeff； who was visiting me at the time；
explained this matter to me； and showed me where the cause of my want
of success lay。 I remember that Siutaeff's remark struck me very
forcibly at the time； but I only understood its full significance
later on。 It was at the height of my self…delusion。 I was sitting
with my sister； and Siutaeff was there also at her house； and my
sister was questioning me about my undertaking。 I told her about it；
and； as always happens when you have no faith in your course； I
talked to her with great enthusiasm and warmth； and at great length；
of what I had done； and of what might possibly come of it。 I told
her every thing；how we were going to keep track of pauperism in
Moscow； how we were going to keep an eye on the orphans and old
people； how we were going to send away all country people who had
grown poor here； how we were going to smooth the pathway to reform
for the depraved； how； if only the matter could be managed； there
would not be a man left in Moscow； who could not obtain assistance。
My sister sympathized with me； and we discussed it。 In the middle of
our conversation； I glanced at Siutaeff。 As I was acquainted with
his Christian life； and with the significance which he attached to
charity； I expected his sympathy； and spoke so that he understood
this； I talked to my sister； but directed my remarks more at him。 He
sat immovable in his dark tanned sheepskin jacket；which he wore；
like all peasants； both out of doors and in the house；and as though
he did not hear us； but were thinking of his own affairs。 His small
eyes did not twinkle； and seemed to be turned inwards。 Having
finished what I had to say； I turned to him with a query as to what
he thought of it。
〃It's all a foolish business；〃 said he。
〃Why？〃
〃Your whole society is foolish； and nothing good can come out of it；〃
he repeated with conviction。
〃Why not？ Why is it a stupid business to help thousands； at any rate
hundreds； of unfortunate beings？ Is it a bad thing； according to the
Gospel； to clothe the naked； and feed the hungry？〃
〃I know； I know； but that is not what you are doing。 Is it necessary
to render assistance in that way？ You are walking along； and a man
asks you for twenty kopeks。 You give them to him。 Is that alms？ Do
you give spiritual alms；teach him。 But what is it that you have
given？ It was only for the sake of getting rid of him。〃
〃No； and； besides； that is not what we are talking about。 We want to
know about this need； and then to help by both money and deeds； and
to find work。〃
〃You can do nothing with those people in that way。〃
〃So they are to be allowed to die of hunger and cold？〃
〃Why should they die？ Are there many of them there？〃
〃What； many of them？〃 said I； thinking that he looked at the matter
so lightly because he was not aware how vast was the number of these
people。
〃Why； do you know；〃 said I； 〃I believe that there are twenty thousand
of these cold and hungry people in Moscow。 And how about Petersburg
and the other cities？〃
He smiled。
〃Twenty thousand！ And how many households are there in Russia alone；
do you think？ Are there a million？〃
〃Well； what then？〃
〃What then？〃 and his eyes flashed； and he grew animated。 〃Come； let
us divide them among ourselves。 I am not rich； I will take two
persons on the spot。 There is the lad whom you took into your
kitchen； I invited him to come to my house； and he did not come。
Were there ten times as many； let us divide them among us。 Do you
take some； and I will take some。 We will work together。 He will see
how I work； and he will learn。 He will see how I live； and we will
sit down at the same table together； and he will hear my words and
yours。 This charity society of yours is nonsense。〃
These simple words impressed me。 I could not but admit their
justice； but it seemed to me at that time； that； in spite of their
truth； still that which I had planned might possibly prove of
service。 But the further I carried this business； the more I
associated with the poor； the more frequently did this remark recur
to my mind； and the greater was the significance which it acquired
for me。
I arrive in a costly fur coat； or with my horses； or the man who
lacks shoes sees my two…thousand…ruble apartments。 He sees how； a
little while ago； I gave five rubles without begrudging them； merely
because I took a whim to do so。 He surely knows that if I give away
rubles in that manner； it is only because I have hoarded up so many
of them； that I have a great many superfluous ones； which I not only
have not given away； but which I have easily taken from other people。
＇What else could he see in me but one of those persons who have got
possession of what belongs to him？ And what other feeling can he
cherish towards me； than a desire to obtain from me as many of those
rubles； which have been stolen from him and from others； as possible？
I wish to get close to him； and I complain that he is not frank； and
here I am； afraid to sit down on his bed for fear of getting lice； or
catching something infectious； and I am afraid to admit him to my
room； and he； coming to me naked； waits； generally in the vestibule；
or； if very fortunate； in the ante…chamber。 And yet I declare that
he is to blame because I cannot enter into intimate relations with
him； and because me is not frank。
Let the sternest man try the experiment of eating a dinner of five
courses in the midst of people who have had very little or nothing
but black bread to eat。 Not a man will have the spirit to eat； and
to watch how the hungry lick their chops around him。 Hence； then； in
order to eat daintily amid the famishing； the first indispensable
requisite is to hide from them； in order that they may not see it。
This is the very thing； and the first thing； that we do。
And I took a simpler view of our life； and perceived that an approach
to the poor is not difficult to us through accidental causes； but
that we deliberately arrange our lives in such a fashi