Character: The black monk

Joy is a supernatural feeling? Shouldn't she be a normal human condition? The higher man's mental and moral development than he is freer, the more pleasure life gives him. Socrates, Diogenes, and Marcus Aurelius felt joy, not sadness. And the Apostle says: always rejoice. Well rejoice and be happy.

Known not smiling at you. Is that flattering, or amusing, or instructive that your name will be engraved on a tombstone, then time will erase this inscription together with the gilding? And, fortunately, you too much to the weak human memory could retain your names.

"Hello," said the monk after a pause, asked: - what do you think?
- On glory, answered Kovrin. In the French novel I have just read, shows a man, a young scientist who does silly things, and languishes from longing for glory. I have this strange longing.
Because you're smart. You to fame are indifferent to the toy, which you did not take.

Not everything is true that was said by the Romans or the Greeks. Elevated mood, excitement, ecstasy - all that distinguishes prophets, poets, martyrs for the idea of ordinary people, disgusting animal side of man, that is his physical health. I repeat: if you want to be healthy and normal, go to the herd.

Why do you know brilliant people who believe the whole light, too, saw ghosts? Now scientists say that genius is akin to insanity. My friend, healthy and normal only mediocre, gregarious people. Considerations about the nervous century, fatigue, degeneration, etc. can seriously disturb only those who the purpose of life sees in the present, that is to herd people.

You are sick because worked through the power and tired, and it means that your health you sacrificed the idea, and the time when you give her the. What is better? It's something to aspire to everything generally gifted more than noble nature.

You people have a Grand, brilliant future. And the more on earth like you, the more likely will happen is the future. Without you, the servants of the most high to start living consciously and freely, mankind would be insignificant; developing in a natural manner, it long would have waited the end of his earthly history. You're a few thousand years earlier enter it into the Kingdom of eternal truth - and this is your high merit. You embody the blessing of God which rested upon the people.

You're one of those few who are justly called the chosen of God. You serve the eternal truth. Your thoughts and intentions, your astonishing science and your whole life bear a divine, heavenly printing, as dedicated as they are sound and perfect, that is, to that which is eternal.

... healthy and normal only mediocre, gregarious people.

What's the purpose of eternal life?
- As all life - enjoyment. A true delight in knowledge.

The higher man's mental and moral development, the more pleasure life gives him.