The doctrine of Christ, which teaches love, humility, and self-denial, had always attracted me. But I
found a contrary law, both in the history of the past and in the present organization of our lives – a law
repugnant to my heart, my conscience, and my reason, but one that flattered my animal instincts. I knew
that if I accepted the doctrine of Christ, I should be forsaken, miserable, persecuted, and sorrowing, as
Christ tells us His followers will be. I knew that if I accepted that law of man, I should have the
approbation of my fellow-men; I should be at peace and in safety; all possible sophisms would be at
hand to quiet my conscience and I should 'laugh and be merry,' as Christ says. I felt this, and therefore I
avoided a closer examination of the law of Christ, and tried to comprehend it in a way that should not
prevent my still leading my animal life. But, finding that impossible, I desisted from all attempts at
comprehension.
found a contrary law, both in the history of the past and in the present organization of our lives – a law
repugnant to my heart, my conscience, and my reason, but one that flattered my animal instincts. I knew
that if I accepted the doctrine of Christ, I should be forsaken, miserable, persecuted, and sorrowing, as
Christ tells us His followers will be. I knew that if I accepted that law of man, I should have the
approbation of my fellow-men; I should be at peace and in safety; all possible sophisms would be at
hand to quiet my conscience and I should 'laugh and be merry,' as Christ says. I felt this, and therefore I
avoided a closer examination of the law of Christ, and tried to comprehend it in a way that should not
prevent my still leading my animal life. But, finding that impossible, I desisted from all attempts at
comprehension.
( Leo Tolstoy )
[ What I Believe ]
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