From the Other Shore

XVI

fruitless silence, to obedience—under no circumstances. Demand everything of me, but do not demand duplicity, do not force me to play the loyal subject again, respect the freedom of the individual in me.

The freedom of the individual is a matter of the highest importance, for upon it, and upon it alone, can the true will of a people grow. Within himself, a man must respect his own freedom and honor it no less than he does in his neighbor or in an entire nation. If you are convinced of this, you will agree that remaining here now is my right, my duty; it is the only protest that an individual can make in our country, and this is the sacrifice they must offer to their own human dignity. If you call my departure a flight and excuse me only through your love, it will mean that you are not yet completely free.

I know everything that can be argued from the viewpoint of romantic patriotism and civic affectation, but I cannot accept these old-believer views original: "старовѣрческихъ воззрѣній"; refers to outdated, archaic ways of thinking. I have outlived them, I have emerged from them, and it is against them that I am struggling. These reheated remnants of Roman and Christian memories hinder, more than anything else, the establishment of true concepts of freedom: concepts that are healthy, clear, and mature. Fortunately, in Europe, customs and long development compensate for the absurdity of certain theories and laws. People living here live upon