What Shall We Do?

Автор

Лев Николаевич Толстой

Жанр

Русская классика

Год написания книги

2017

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Поля

In order to appropriate the highest view of life, I think there is no need of visiting lectures: all that she requires is to read the gospel, and not to shut her eyes, ears, and, most of all, her heart.

Well, and if you ask what those are to do who have no children, who are not married, or who are widows, I answer that those will do well to share man's multifarious labour. But one cannot help feeling sorry that such a precious tool as woman is, should be bereft of the possibility of fulfilling the great vocation which it is given to her alone to fulfil.

Especially as every woman, when she has finished bearing children, if she has strength left, will have time to occupy herself with help in man's labour. Woman's help in that labour is very precious; but it will always be a pity to see a young woman fit for child-bearing occupied by man's labour.

To see such a woman, is the same as to see precious vegetable soil covered with stones as a place of parade or as a walking-ground. Still more a pity, because the earth could only produce bread, and a woman could produce that for which there cannot be any equivalent, than which there is nothing higher, – man. And only she is able to do this.

THE END

notes

1

Réaumur.

2

A sbiten-seller: sbiten is a hot drink made of herbs or spices and molasses

3

The police certificate of registration as a prostitute. – Ed.

4

An unfermented home-made liquor used by Russian peasants. – Ed.

5

A home-made cheap fermented drink. – Ed.

6

Tolstoy's village of Yasnaya Polyana is situated in this district. – Ed.

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