战争与和平(上)-第146章
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our order obtain the power insensibly to tie the hands of the promoters of disorder； and to control them without their being aware of it。 In a word； we want to found a form of government holding universal sway； which should be diffused over the whole world without encroaching on civil obligations； under which all other governments could continue in their ordinary course and do all； except what hinders the great aim of our order； that is； the triumph of virtue over vice。 This aim is that of Christianity itself。 It has taught men to be holy and good； and for their own profit to follow the precept and example of better and wiser men。
“In times when all was plunged in darkness； exhortation alone was of course enough； the novelty of truth gave it peculiar force； but nowadays far more powerful means are necessary for us。 Now a man guided by his senses needs to find in virtue a charm palpable to the senses。 The passions cannot be uprooted； we must only attempt to direct them to a noble object； and so every one should be able to find satisfaction for his passions within the bounds of virtue； and our order should provide means to that end。 As soon as we have a certain number of capable men in every state； each of them training again two others； and all keeping in close cooperation； then everything will be possible for our order； which has already done much in secret for the good of humanity。”
This speech did not merely make a great impression； it produced a thrill of excitement in the lodge。 The majority of the brothers； seeing in this speech dangerous projects of “illuminism；” to Pierre’s surprise received it coldly。 The Grand Master began to raise objections to it； Pierre began to expound his own views with greater and greater heat。 It was long since there had been so stormy a meeting。 The lodge split up into parties； one party opposed Pierre； accusing him of “illuminism”； the other supported him。 Pierre was for the first time at this meeting impressed by the endless multiplicity of men’s minds； which leads to no truth being ever seen by two persons alike。
Even those among the members who seemed to be on his side interpreted him in their own way； with limitations and variations； to which he could not agree。 What Pierre chiefly desired was always to transmit his thought to another exactly as he conceived it himself。
At the conclusion of the sitting； the Grand Master spoke with ill…will and irony to Bezuhov of his hasty temper； and observed that it was not love of virtue alone； but a passion for strife； that had guided him in the discussion。
Pierre made him no reply； but briefly inquired whether his proposal would be accepted。 He was told that it would not be； and without waiting for the usual formalities； he left the lodge and went home。
Chapter 8
AGAIN PIERRE was overtaken by that despondency he so dreaded。 For three days after the delivery of his speech at the lodge he lay on a sofa at home； seeing no one； and going nowhere。
At this time he received a letter from his wife who besought him to see her； wrote of her unhappiness on his account； and her desire to devote her whole life to him。
At the end of the letter she informed him that in a day or two she would arrive in Petersburg from abroad。
The letter was followed up by one of the freemasons whom Pierre respected least bursting in upon his solitude。 Turning the conversation upon Pierre’s matrimonial affairs； he gave him； by way of brotherly counsel； his opinion that his severity to his wife was wrong； and that Pierre was departing from the first principles of freemasonry in not forgiving the penitent。 At the same time his mother…in…law； Prince Vassily’s wife； sent to him； beseeching him to visit her； if only for a few minutes； to discuss a matter of great importance。 Pierre saw there was a conspiracy against him； that they meant to reconcile him with his wife； and he did not even dislike this in the mood in which he then was。 Nothing mattered to him； Pierre regarded nothing in life as a matter of great consequence； and under the influence of the despondency which had taken possession of him； he attached no significance either to his own freedom or to having his own way be punishing his wife。
“No one is right； no one is to blame； and so she； too； is not to blame；” he thought。 If Pierre did not at once give his consent to being reunited to his wife； it was simply because in the despondent state into which he had lapsed； he was incapable of taking any line of action。 Had his wife come to him； he could not now have driven her away。 Could it matter beside the questions that were absorbing Pierre； whether he live with his wife or not？
Without answering either his wife or his mother…in…law； Pierre at once set off late in the evening and drove to Moscow to see Osip Alexyevitch。
This is what Pierre wrote in his diary。
“Moscow； November 17。—I have only just come from seeing my benefactor； and I hasten to note down all I have been feeling。 Osip Alexyevitch lives in poverty； and has been for three years past suffering from a painful disease of the bladder。 No one has ever heard from him a groan or a word of complaint。 From morning till late at night； except at the times when he partakes of the very plainest food； he is working at science。 He received me graciously； and made me sit down on the bed on which he was lying。 I made him the sign of the Knights of the East and of Jerusalem； he responded with the same； and asked me with a gentle smile what I had learned and gained in the Prussian and Scottish lodges。 I told him everything as best I could； repeating to him the principles of action I had proposed in our Petersburg lodge； and telling him of the unfavourable reception given me； and the rupture between me and the brothers。 Osip Alexyevitch； after some silent thought； laid all his own views of the subject before me； which immediately threw light on all the past and all the course that lies before me。 He surprised me by asking whether I remembered the threefold aim of the order—（1） the preservation and study of the holy mystery； （2） the purification and reformation of self for its reception； and （3） the improvement of the human race through striving for such purification。 Which； he asked； was the first and greatest of those three aims？ Undoubtedly self…reformation and self…purification。 It is only towards that aim that we can always strive independently of all circumstances。 But at the same time it is just that aim which requires of us the greatest effort； and therefore； led astray by pride； we let that aim drop； and either strive to penetrate to the mystery which we are unworthy in our impurity to receive； or seek after the reformation of the human race； while we are ourselves setting an example of vice and abomination。 ‘Illuminism’ is not a pure doctrine precisely because it is seduced by worldly activity and puffed up with pride。 On this ground Osip Alexyevitch censured my speech and all I am doing。 At the bottom of my heart I agreed with him。 Talking of my domestic affairs； he said to me： ‘The first duty of a mason； as I have told you； is the perfection of himself。 But often we imagine that by removing all the difficulties of our life； we may better attain this aim。 It is quite the contrary； sir；’ he said to me： ‘it is only in the midst of the cares of the world that we can reach the three great aims—（1） self…knowledge； for a man can know himself only by comparison； （2） greater perfection； which can only be obtained by conflict； and （3） the attainment of the chief virtue—love of death。 Only the corruptions of life can show us all its vanity； and strengthen our innate love for death； or rather regeneration into new life。’ These words were the more remarkable as Osip Alexyevitch； in spite of his grievous physical sufferings； is never weary of life； though he loves death； for which he does not； in spite of all the purity and loftiness of his inner man； yet feel himself prepared。 Then my benefactor explained to me fully the significance of the great square of creation； and pointed out that the third and the seventh number are the basis of everything。 He counselled me not to withdraw from co…operation with the Petersburg brothers； and while undertaking duties
