Page:The Relations Tolstoy.pdf/18

 development of my thoughts would lead me to the conclusion to which I have come. I was startled by these conclusions. I did not wish to believe them; but not to believe was impossible. And however much they contradict the whole tenor of our life, however much they contradict my own former thoughts and even expressions, I was obliged to accept them.

"But all these are general considerations which, while they may be true, relate to the teaching of Jesus, and only bind those who profess it: but life is life, and, having indicated the unattainable ideal of Jesus, one cannot leave men in one of the most burning problems of the universe, productive of the greatest calamities, with no other guidance than this one ideal.

"A young and passionate man at first will be attracted by this ideal, but he will not hold out; he will give way, and, neither knowing nor admitting any rules, he will fall into complete depravity."

So people generally argue.

Christ's ideal is unattainable, and cannot, therefore, serve as a guide in life. We may talk of it, dream of it, but it is not applicable to life, and must, therefore, be abandoned.

What we want is not an ideal, but a guidance corresponding to our strength, to the average level of the moral forces of our society: an honest ecclesiastical marriage; or even a not entirely honest marriage, as when once of the parties (in our society generally the male) has already known other women; or civil marriage; or even marriage with the possibility of divorce; or even (advancing in the same direction) a Japanese marriage for a certain term; and why not go as far as brothels? which are, it is maintained, better than immorality in the streets.