AslongasIdidnotrepent，Iputthequestionthus：\"WhatsphereofactivityshouldIchoose，I，themanwhohasreceivedtheeducationandthetalentswhichhavefallentomyshame？How，inthisfashion，makerecompensewiththateducationandthosetalents，forwhatIhavetaken，andforwhatIstilltake，fromthepeople？\"
Thisquestionwaswrong，becauseitcontainedafalserepresentation，totheeffectthatIwasnotamanjustlikethem，butapeculiarmancalledtoservethepeoplewiththosetalentsandwiththateducationwhichIhadwonbytheeffortsoffortyyears。
Ipropoundedthequerytomyself；but，inreality，Ihadanswereditinadvance，inthatIhadinadvancedefinedthesortofactivitywhichwasagreeabletome，andbywhichIwascalledupontoservethepeople。Ihad，infact，askedmyself：\"InwhatmannercouldI，soveryfineawriter，whohadacquiredsomuchlearningandtalents，makeuseofthemforthebenefitofthepeople？\"
ButthequestionshouldhavebeenputasitwouldhavestoodforalearnedrabbiwhohadgonethroughthecourseoftheTalmud，andhadlearnedbyheartthenumberoflettersinalltheholybooks，andallthefinepointsofhisart。Thequestionforme，asfortherabbi，shouldstandthus：\"WhatamI，whohavespent，owingtothemisfortuneofmysurroundings，theyear’sbestfittedforstudyintheacquisitionofgrammar，geography，judicialscience，poetry，novelsandromances，theFrenchlanguage，pianoforteplaying，philosophicaltheories，andmilitaryexercises，insteadofinuringmyselftolabor；whatamI，whohavepassedthebestyearsofmylifeinidleoccupationswhicharecorruptingtothesoul，——whatamItodoindefianceoftheseunfortunateconditionsofthepast，inorderthatImayrequitethosepeoplewhoduringthewholetimehavefedandclothed，yes，andwhoevennowcontinuetofeedandclotheme？\"Hadthequestionthenstoodasitstandsbeforemenow，afterIhaverepented，——\"WhatamI，socorruptaman，todo？\"theanswerwouldhavebeeneasy：\"Tostrive，firstofall，tosupportmyselfhonestly；thatis，tolearnnottoliveuponothers；andwhileIamlearning，andwhenIhavelearnedthis，torenderaidonallpossibleoccasionstothepeople，withmyhands，andmyfeet，andmybrain，andmyheart，andwitheverythingtowhichthepeopleshouldpresentaclaim。\"
AndthereforeIsay，thatforthemanofourcircle，inadditiontonotlyingtohimselfortoothers，repentanceisalsonecessary，andthatheshouldscrapefromhimselfthatpridewhichhassprungupinus，inourculture，inourrefinements，inourtalents；andthatheshouldconfessthatheisnotabenefactorofthepeopleandadistinguishedman，whodoesnotrefusetosharewiththepeoplehisusefulacquirements，butthatheshouldconfesshimselftobeathoroughlyguilty，corrupt，andgood—for—nothingman，whodesirestoreformhimselfandnottobehavebenevolentlytowardsthepeople，butsimplytoceasewoundingandinsultingthem。
Ioftenhearthequestionsofgoodyoungmenwhosympathizewiththerenunciatorypartofmywritings，andwhoask，\"Well，andwhatthenshallIdo？WhatamItodo，nowthatIhavefinishedmycourseintheuniversity，orinsomeotherinstitution，inorderthatImaybeofuse？\"Youngmenaskthis，andinthedepthsoftheirsoulitisalreadydecidedthattheeducationwhichtheyhavereceivedconstitutestheirprivilegeandthattheydesiretoservethepeoplepreciselybymeansofthussuperiority。Andhence，onethingwhichtheywillinnowisedo，istobearthemselveshonestlyandcriticallytowardsthatwhichtheycalltheirculture，andaskthemselves，arethosequalitieswhichtheycalltheirculturegoodorbad？Iftheywilldothis，theywillinfalliblybeledtoseethenecessityofrenouncingtheirculture，andthenecessityofbeginningtolearnalloveragain；andthisistheoneindispensablething。Theycaninnowisesolvetheproblem，\"Whattodo？\"becausethisquestiondoesnotstandbeforethemasitshouldstand。Thequestionmuststandthus：\"InwhatmanneramI，ahelpless，uselessman，who，owingtothemisfortuneofmyconditions，havewastedmybestyearsofstudyinconningthescientificTalmudwhichcorruptssoulandbody，tocorrectthismistake，andlearntoservethepeople？\"Butitpresentsitselftothemthus：\"HowamI，amanwhohasacquiredsomuchveryfinelearning，toturnthisveryfinelearningtotheuseofthepeople？\"Andsuchamanwillneveranswerthequestion，\"Whatistobedone？\"untilherepents。Andrepentanceisnotterrible，justastruthisnotterrible，anditisequallyjoyfulandfruitful。Itisonlynecessarytoacceptthetruthwholly，andtorepentwholly，inordertounderstandthatnoonepossessesanyrights，privileges，orpeculiaritiesinthematterofthislifeofours，butthattherearenoendsorboundstoobligation，andthataman’sfirstandmostindubitabledutyistotakepartinthestrugglewithnatureforhisownlifeandforthelivesofothers。
Andthisconfessionofaman’sobligationconstitutesthegistofthethirdanswertothequestion，\"Whatistobedone？\"
Itriednottolietomyself：Itriedtocastoutfrommyselftheremainsofmyfalseconceptionsoftheimportanceofmyeducationandtalents，andtorepent；butonthewaytoadecisionofthequestion，\"Whattodo？\"afreshdifficultyarose。Therearesomanydifferentoccupations，thatanindicationwasnecessaryastothepreciseonewhichwastobeadopted。AndtheanswertothisquestionwasfurnishedmebysincererepentancefortheevilinwhichIhadlived。
\"Whattodo？Preciselywhattodo？\"allask，andthatiswhatI
alsoaskedsolongas，undertheinfluenceofmyexaltedideaofanyownimportance，Ididnotperceivethatmyfirstandunquestionabledutywastofeedmyself，toclothemyself，tofurnishmyownfuel，todomyownbuilding，and，bysodoing，toserveothers，because，eversincethewouldhasexisted，thefirstandindubitabledutyofeverymanhasconsistedanddoesconsistinthis。
Infact，nomatterwhatamanmayhaveassumedtobehisvocation，——
whetheritbetogovernpeople，todefendhisfellow—countrymen，todivineservice，toinstructothers，toinventmeanstoheightenthepleasuresoflife，todiscoverthelawsoftheworld，toincorporateeternaltruthsinartisticrepresentations，——thedutyofareasonablemanistotakepartinthestrugglewithnature，forthesustenanceofhisownlifeandofthatofothers。Thisobligationisthefirstofall，becausewhatpeopleneedmostofallistheirlife；andtherefore，inordertodefendandinstructthepeople，andrendertheirlivesmoreagreeable，itisrequisitetopreservethatlifeitself，whilemyrefusaltoshareinthestruggle，mymonopolyofthelaborsofothers，isequivalenttoannihilationofthelivesofothers。And，therefore，itisnotrationaltoservethelivesofmenbyannihilatingthelivesofmen；anditisimpossibletosaythatIamservingmen，when，bymylife，Iamobviouslyinjuringthem。
Aman’sobligationtostrugglewithnaturefortheacquisitionofthemeansoflivelihoodwillalwaysbethefirstandmostunquestionableofallobligations，becausethisobligationisalawoflife，departurefromwhichentailstheinevitablepunishmentofeitherbodilyormentalannihilationofthelifeofman。Ifamanlivingaloneexcuseshimselffromtheobligationofstrugglingwithnature，heisimmediatelypunished，inthathisbodyperishes。Butifamanexcuseshimselffromthisobligationbymakingotherpeoplefulfilitforhim，thenalsoheisimmediatelypunishedbytheannihilationofhismentallife；thatistosay，ofthelifewhichpossessesrationalthought。
Inthisoneact，manreceives——ifthetwothingsaretobeseparated——fullsatisfactionofthebodilyandspiritualdemandsofhisnature。Thefeeding，clothing，andtakingcareofhimselfandhisfamily，constitutethesatisfactionofthebodilydemandsandrequirements；anddoingthesameforotherpeople，constitutesthesatisfactionofhisspiritualrequirements。Everyotheremploymentofmanisonlylegalwhenitisdirectedtothesatisfactionofthisveryfirstdutyofman；forthefulfilmentofthisdutyconstitutesthewholelifeofman。
Ihadbeensoturnedaboutbymypreviouslife，thisfirstandindubitablelawofGodorofnatureissoconcealedinoursphereofsociety，thatthefulfilmentofthislawseemedtomestrange，terrible，evenshameful；asthoughthefulfilmentofaneternal，unquestionablelaw，andnotthedeparturefromit，canbeterrible，strange，andshameful。
Atfirstitseemedtomethatthefulfilmentofthismatterrequiredsomepreparation，arrangementorcommunityofmen，holdingsimilarviews，——theconsentofone’sfamily，lifeinthecountry；itseemedtomedisgracefultomakeashowofmyselfbeforepeople，toundertakeathingsoimproperinourconditionsofexistence，asbodilytoil，andIdidnotknowhowtosetaboutit。Butitwasonlynecessaryformetounderstandthatthisisnoexclusiveoccupationwhichrequirestobeinventedandarrangedfor，butthatthisemploymentwasmerelyareturnfromthefalsepositioninwhichIfoundmyself，toanaturalone；wasonlyarectificationofthatlieinwhichIwasliving。Ihadonlytorecognizethisfact，andallthesedifficultiesvanished。Itwasnotintheleastnecessarytomakepreparationsandarrangements，andtoawaittheconsentofothers，for，nomatterinwhatpositionIhadfoundmyself，therehadalwaysbeenpeoplewhohadfed，clothedandwarmedme，inadditiontothemselves；andeverywhere，underallconditions，I
coulddothesameformyselfandforthem，ifIhadthetimeandthestrength。NeithercouldIexperiencefalseshameinanunwontedoccupation，nomatterhowsurprisingitmightbetopeople，because，throughnotdoingit，Ihadalreadyexperiencednotfalsebutrealshame。
AndwhenIhadreachedthisconfessionandthepracticaldeductionfromit，Iwasfullyrewardedfornothavingquailedbeforethedeductionsofreason，andforfollowingwhithertheyledme。Onarrivingatthispracticaldeduction，Iwasamazedattheeaseandsimplicitywithwhichalltheproblemswhichhadpreviouslyseemedtomesodifficultandsocomplicated，weresolved。
Tothequestion，\"Whatisitnecessarytodo？\"themostindubitableanswerpresenteditself：firstofall，thatwhichitwasnecessaryformetodowas，toattendtomyownsamovar，myownstove，myownwater，myownclothing；toeverythingthatIcoulddoformyself。
Tothequestion，\"Willitnotseemstrangetopeopleifyoudothis？\"itappearedthatthisstrangenesslastedonlyaweek，andafterthelapseofthatweek，itwouldhaveseemedstrangehadI
returnedtomyformerconditionsoflife。Withregardtothequestion，\"Isitnecessarytoorganizethisphysicallabor，toinstituteanassociationinthecountry，onmyland？\"itappearedthatnothingofthesortwasnecessary；thatlabor，ifitdoesnotaimattheacquisitionofallpossibleleisure，andtheenjoymentofthelaborofothers，——likethelaborofpeoplebentonaccumulatingmoney，——butifithaveforitsobjectthesatisfactionofrequirements，willitselfbedrawnfromthecitytothecountry，totheland，wherethislaboristhemostfruitfulandcheerful。Butitisnotrequisitetoinstituteanyassociation，becausethemanwholabors，naturallyandofhimself，attacheshimselftotheexistingassociationoflaboringmen。
Tothequestion，whetherthislaborwouldnotmonopolizeallmytime，anddeprivemeofthoseintellectualpursuitswhichIlove，towhichIamaccustomed，andwhich，inmymomentsofself—conceit，I
regardasnotuselesstoothers？Ireceivedamostunexpectedreply。
Theenergyofmyintellectualactivityincreased，andincreasedinexactproportionwithbodilyapplication，whilefreeingitselffromeverythingsuperfluous。Itappearedthatbydedicatingtophysicaltoileighthours，thathalfofthedaywhichIhadformerlypassedintheoppressivestateofastrugglewithennui，eighthoursremainedtome，ofwhichonlyfiveofintellectualactivity，accordingtomyterms，werenecessarytome。Foritappeared，thatifI，averyvoluminouswriter，whohaddonenothingfornearlyfortyyearsexceptwrite，andwhohadwrittenthreehundredprintedsheets；——ifIhadworkedduringallthosefortyyearsatordinarylaborwiththeworking—people，then，notreckoningwintereveningsandleisuredays，ifIhadreadandstudiedforfivehourseveryday，andhadwrittenacoupleofpagesonlyonholidays（andIhavebeeninthehabitofwritingattherateofoneprintedsheetaday），thenIshouldhavewrittenthosethreehundredsheetsinfourteenyears。Thefactseemedstartling：yetitisthemostsimplearithmeticalcalculation，whichcanbemadebyaseven—year—
oldboy，butwhichIhadnotbeenabletomakeuptothistime。
Therearetwenty—fourhoursintheday；ifwetakeawayeighthours，sixteenremain。Ifanymanengagedinintellectualoccupationsdevotefivehourseverydaytohisoccupation，hewillaccomplishafearfulamount。Andwhatistobedonewiththeremainingelevenhours？
Itprovedthatphysicallabornotonlydoesnotexcludethepossibilityofmentalactivity，butthatitimprovesitsquality，andencouragesit。
Inanswertothequestion，whetherthisphysicaltoildoesnotdeprivemeofmanyinnocentpleasurespeculiartoman，suchastheenjoymentofthearts，theacquisitionoflearning，intercoursewithpeople，andthedelightsoflifeingeneral，itturnedoutexactlythereverse：themoreintensethelabor，themorenearlyitapproachedwhatisconsideredthecoarsestagriculturaltoil，themoreenjoymentandknowledgedidIgain，andthemoredidIcomeintocloseandlovingcommunionwithmen，andthemorehappinessdidIderivefromlife。
Inanswertothequestion（whichIhavesooftenheardfrompersonsnotthoroughlysincere），astowhatresultcouldflowfromsoinsignificantadropintheseaofsympathyasmyindividualphysicallaborintheseaoflaboringulfingme，Ireceivedalsothemostsatisfactoryandunexpectedofanswers。ItappearedthatallI
hadtodowastomakephysicallaborthehabitualconditionofmylife，andthemajorityofmyfalse，butprecious，habitsandmydemands，whenphysicallyidle，fellawayfrommeatonceoftheirownaccord，withouttheslightestexertiononmypart。Nottomentionthehabitofturningdayintonightandviceversa，myhabitsconnectedwithmybed，withmyclothing，withconventionalcleanliness，——whicharedownrightimpossibleandoppressivewithphysicallabor，——andmydemandsastothequalityofmyfood，wereentirelychanged。Inplaceofthedainty，rich，refined，complicated，highly—spicedfood，towhichIhadformerlyinclined，themostsimpleviandsbecameneedfulandmostpleasingofalltome，——cabbage—soup，porridge，blackbread，andteavprikusku。{3}
Sothat，nottomentiontheinfluenceuponmeoftheexampleofthesimpleworking—people，whoarecontentwithlittle，withwhomIcameincontactinthecourseofmybodilytoil，myveryrequirementsunderwentachangeinconsequenceofmytoilsomelife；sothatmydropofphysicallaborintheseaofuniversallaborbecamelargerandlarger，inproportionasIaccustomedmyselfto，andappropriated，thehabitsofthelaboringclasses；inproportion，also，tothesuccessofmylabor，mydemandsforlaborfromothersgrewlessandless，andmylifenaturally，withoutexertionorprivations，approachedthatsimpleexistenceofwhichIcouldnotevendreamwithoutfulfillingthelawoflabor。
Itprovedthatmydearestdemandsfromlife，namely，mydemandsforvanity，anddiversionfromennui，arosedirectlyfrommyidlelife。
Therewasnoplaceforvanity，inconnectionwithphysicallabor；
andnodiversionswereneeded，sincemytimewaspleasantlyoccupied，and，aftermyfatigue，simplerestatteaoverabook，orinconversationwithmyfellows，wasincomparablymoreagreeablethantheatres，cards，conceits，oralargecompany，——allwhichthingsareneededinphysicalidleness，andwhichcostagreatdeal。
Inanswertothequestion，Wouldnotthisunaccustomedtoilruinthathealthwhichisindispensableinordertorenderservicetothepeoplepossible？itappeared，inspiteofthepositiveassertionsofnotedphysicians，thatphysicalexertion，especiallyatmyage，mighthavethemostinjuriousconsequences（butthatSwedishgymnastics，themassagetreatment，andsoon，andotherexpedientsintendedtotaketheplaceofthenaturalconditionsofman’slife，werebetter），thatthemoreintensethetoil，thestronger，morealert，morecheerful，andmorekindlydidIfeel。Thusitundoubtedlyappeared，that，justasallthosecunningdevicesofthehumanmind，newspapers，theatres，concerts，visits，balls，cards，journals，romances，arenothingelsethanexpedientsformaintainingthespirituallifeofmanoutsidehisnaturalconditionsoflaborforothers，——justsoallthehygienicandmedicaldevicesofthehumanmindforthepreparationoffood，drink，lodging，ventilation，heating，clothing，medicine，water，massage，gymnastics，electric，andothermeansofhealing，——allthesecleverdevicesaremerelyanexpedienttosustainthebodilylifeofmanremovedfromitsnaturalconditionsoflabor。Itturnedoutthatallthesedevicesofthehumanmindfortheagreeablearrangementofthephysicalexistenceofidlepersonsarepreciselyanalogoustothoseartfulcontrivanceswhichpeoplemightinventfortheproductioninvesselshermeticallysealed，bymeansofmechanicalarrangements，ofevaporation，andplants，oftheairbestfittedforbreathing，whenallthatisneededistoopenthewindow。Alltheinventionsofmedicineandhygieneforpersonsofourspherearemuchthesameasthoughamechanicshouldhitupontheideaofheatingasteam—boilerwhichwasnotworking，andshouldshutallthevalvessothattheboilershouldnotburst。Onlyonethingisneeded，insteadofalltheseextremelycomplicateddevicesforpleasure，forcomfort，andformedicalandhygienicpreparations，intendedtosavepeoplefromtheirspiritualandbodilyailments，whichswallowupsomuchlabor，——tofulfilthelawoflife；todothatwhichispropernotonlytoman，buttotheanimal；tofireoffthechargeofenergytakenwinintheshapeoffood，bymuscularexertion；tospeakinplainlanguage，toearnone’sbread。Thosewhodonotworkshouldnoteat，ortheyshouldearnasmuchastheyhaveeaten。
AndwhenIclearlycomprehendedallthis，itstruckmeasridiculous。Throughawholeseriesofdoubtsandsearchings，Ihadarrived，byalongcourseofthought，atthisremarkabletruth：ifamanhaseyes，itisthathemayseewiththem；ifhehasears，thathemayhear；andfeet，thathemaywalk；andhandsandback，thathemaylabor；andthatifamanwillnotemploythosemembersforthatpurposeforwhichtheyareintended，itwillbetheworseforhim。
Icametothisconclusion，that，withusprivilegedpeople，thesamethinghashappenedwhichhappenedwiththehorsesofafriendofmine。Hissteward，whowasnotaloverofhorses，norwellversedinthem，onreceivinghismaster’sorderstoplacethebesthorsesinthestable，selectedthemfromthestud，placedtheminstalls，andfedandwateredthem；butfearingforthevaluablesteeds，hecouldnotbringhimselftotrustthemtoanyone，andheneitherrodenordrovethem，nordidheeventakethemout。Thehorsesstoodthereuntiltheyweregoodfornothing。Thesamethinghashappenedwithus，butwiththisdifference：thatitwasimpossibletodeceivethehorsesinanyway，andtheywerekeptinbondstopreventtheirgettingout；butwearekeptinanunnaturalpositionthatisequallyinjurioustous，bydeceitswhichhaveentangledus，andwhichholduslikechains。
Wehavearrangedforourselvesalifethatisrepugnantbothtothemoralandthephysicalnatureofman，andallthepowersofourintelligenceweconcentrateuponassuringmanthatthisisthemostnaturallifepossible。Everythingwhichwecallculture，——oursciences，art，andtheperfectionofthepleasantthing’soflife，——
alltheseareattemptstodeceivethemoralrequirementsofman；
everythingthatiscalledhygieneandmedicine，isanattempttodeceivethenaturalphysicaldemandsofhumannature。Butthesedeceitshavetheirbounds，andweadvancetothem。\"Ifsuchbetherealhumanlife，thenitisbetternottoliveatall，\"saysthereigningandextremelyfashionablephilosophyofSchopenhauerandHartmann。Ifsuchislife，’tisbetterforthecominggenerationnottolive，\"saycorruptmedicalscienceanditsnewlydevisedmeanstothatend。
IntheBible，itislaiddownasthelawofman：\"Inthesweatofthyfaceshaltthoueatbread，andinsorrowthoushaltbringforthchildren；\"but\"nousavonschangetoutca，\"asMoliere’scharactersays，whenexpressinghimselfwithregardtomedicine，andassertingthattheliverwasontheleftside。Wehavechangedallthat。Menneednotworkinordertoeat，andwomenneednotbearchildren。
AraggedpeasantroamstheKrapivenskydistrict。Duringthewarhewasanagentforthepurchaseofgrain，underanofficialofthecommissarydepartment。Onbeingbroughtincontactwiththeofficial，andseeinghisluxuriouslife，thepeasantlosthismind，andthoughtthathemightgetalongwithoutwork，likegentlemen，andreceivepropersupportfromtheEmperor。Thispeasantnowcallshimself\"theMostSereneWarrior，PrinceBlokhin，purveyorofwarsuppliesofalldescriptions。\"Hesaysofhimselfthathehas\"passedthroughalltheranks，\"andthatwhenheshallhaveservedouthisterminthearmy，heistoreceivefromtheEmperoranunlimitedbankaccount，clothes，uniforms，horses，equipages，tea，peaseandservants，andallsortsofluxuries。Thismanisridiculousintheeyesofmany，buttomethesignificanceofhismadnessisterrible。Tothequestion，whetherhedoesnotwishtowork，healwaysrepliesproudly：\"Iammuchobliged。Thepeasantswillattendtoallthat。\"Whenyoutellhimthatthepeasantsdonotwishtowork，either，heanswers：\"Itisnotdifficultforthepeasant。\"
Hegenerallytalksinahigh—flownstyle，andisfondofverbalsubstantives。\"Nowthereisaninventionofmachineryforthealleviationofthepeasants，\"hesays；\"thereisnodifficultyfortheminthat。\"Whenheisaskedwhathelivesfor，hereplies，\"Topassthetime。\"Ialwayslookonthismanasonamirror。Ibeholdinhimmyselfandallmyclass。Topassthroughalltheranks（tchini）inordertoliveforthepurposeofpassingthetime，andtoreceiveanunlimitedbankaccount，whilethepeasants，forwhomthisisnotdifficult，becauseoftheinventionofmachinery，dothewholebusiness，——thisisthecompleteformulaoftheidioticcreedofthepeopleofoursphereinsociety。
Whenweinquirepreciselywhatwearetodo，surely，weasknothing，butmerelyassert——onlynotinsuchgoodfaithastheMostSerenePrinceBlokhin，whohasbeenpromotedthroughallranks，andlosthismind——thatwedonotwishtodoanything。
Hewhowillreflectforamomentcannotaskthus，because，ontheonehand，everythingthatheuseshasbeenmade，andismade，bythehandsofmen；and，ontheotherside，assoonasahealthymanhasawakenedandeaten，thenecessityofworkingwithfeetandhandsandbrainmakesitselffelt。Inordertofindworkandtowork，heneedonlynotholdback：onlyapersonwhothinksworkdisgraceful—
—liketheladywhorequestsherguestnottotakethetroubletoopenthedoor，buttowaituntilshecancallamanforthispurpose——canputtohimselfthequestion，whatheistodo。
Thepointdoesnotlieininventingwork，——youcannevergetthroughalltheworkthatistobedoneforyourselfandforothers，——butthepointliesinweaningone’sselffromthatcriminalviewoflifeinaccordancewithwhichIeatandsleepformyownpleasure；andinappropriatingtomyselfthatjustandsimpleviewwithwhichthelaboringmangrowsupandlives，——thatmanis，firstofall，amachine，whichloadsitselfwithfoodinordertosustainitself，andthatitisthereforedisgraceful，wrong，andimpossibletoeatandnottowork；thattoeatandnottoworkisthemostimpious，unnatural，and，therefore，dangerousposition，inthenatureofthesinofSodom。Onlyletthisacknowledgementbemade，andtherewillbework；andworkwillalwaysbejoyousandsatisfyingtobothspiritualandbodilyrequirements。
Thematterpresenteditselftomethus：Thedayisdividedforeveryman，byfooditself，intofourparts，orfourstints，asthepeasantscallit：（1）beforebreakfast；（2）frombreakfastuntildinner；（3）fromdinneruntilfouro’clock；（4）fromfouro’clockuntilevening。
Aman’semployment，whateveritmaybethathefeelsaneedforinhisownperson，isalsodividedintofourcategories：（1）themuscularemploymentofpower，laborofthehands，feet，shoulders，back，——hardlabor，fromwhichyousweat；（2）theemploymentofthefingersandwrists，theemploymentofartisanskill；（3）theemploymentofthemindandimagination；（4）theemploymentofintercoursewithothers。
Thebenefitswhichmanenjoysarealsodividedintofourcategories。
Everymanenjoys，inthefirstplace，theproductofhardlabor，——
grain，cattle，buildings，wells，ponds，andsoforth；inthesecondplace，theresultsofartisantoil，——clothes，boots，utensils，andsoforth；inthethirdplace，theproductsofmentalactivity，——
science，art；and，intheforthplace，establishedintercoursebetweenpeople。
Anditstruckme，thatthebestthingofallwouldbetoarrangetheoccupationsofthedayinsuchamannerastoexerciseallfourofman’scapacities，andmyselfproduceallthesefoursortsofbenefitswhichmenmakeuseof，sothatoneportionoftheday，thefirst，shouldbededicatedtohardlabor；thesecond，tointellectuallabor；thethird，toartisanlabor；andtheforth，tointercoursewithpeople。Itstruckme，thatonlythenwouldthatfalsedivisionoflabor，whichexistsinoursociety，beabrogated，andthatjustdivisionoflaborestablished，whichdoesnotdestroyman’shappiness。
I，forexample，havebusiedmyselfallmylifewithintellectuallabor。Isaidtomyself，thatIhadsodividedlabor，thatwriting，thatistosay，intellectuallabor，ismyspecialemployment，andtheothermatterswhichwerenecessarytomeIhadleftfree（orrelegated，rather）toothers。Butthis，whichwouldappeartohavebeenthemostadvantageousarrangementforintellectualtoil，waspreciselythemostdisadvantageoustomentallabor，nottomentionitsinjustice。
Allmylifelong，Ihaveregulatedmywholelife，food，sleep，diversion，inviewofthesehoursofspeciallabor，andIhavedonenothingexceptthiswork。Theresultofthishasbeen，inthefirstplace，thatIhavecontractedmysphereofobservationsandknowledge，andhavefrequentlyhadnomeansforthestudyevenofproblemswhichoftenpresentedthemselvesindescribingthelifeofthepeople（forthelifeofthecommonpeopleistheevery—dayproblemofintellectualactivity）。Iwasconsciousofmyignorance，andwasobligedtoobtaininstruction，toaskaboutthingswhichareknownbyeverymannotengagedinspeciallabor。Inthesecondplace，theresultwas，thatIhadbeeninthehabitofsittingdowntowritewhenIhadnoinwardimpulsetowrite，andwhennoonedemandedfrommewriting，aswriting，thatistosay，mythoughts，butwhenmynamewasmerelywantedforjournalisticspeculation。I
triedtosqueezeoutofmyselfwhatIcould。SometimesIcouldextractnothing；sometimesitwasverywretchedstuff，andIwasdissatisfiedandgrieved。ButnowthatIhavelearnedtheindispensabilityofphysicallabor，bothhardandartisanlabor，theresultisentirelydifferent。Mytimehasbeenoccupied，howevermodestly，atleastusefullyandcheerfully，andinamannerinstructivetome。AndthereforeIhavetornmyselffromthatindubitablyusefulandcheerfuloccupationformyspecialdutiesonlywhenIfeltaninwardimpulse，andwhenIsawademandmadeuponmedirectlyformyliterarywork。
Andthesedemandscalledintoplayonlygoodnature，andthereforetheusefulnessandthejoyofmyspeciallabor。Thusitturnedout，thatemploymentinthosephysicallaborswhichareindispensabletome，astheyaretoeveryman，notonlydidnotinterferewithmyspecialactivity，butwasanindispensableconditionoftheusefulness，worth，andcheerfulnessofthatactivity。
Thebirdissoconstructed，thatitisindispensablethatitshouldfly，walk，peek，combine；andwhenitdoesallthis，itissatisfiedandhappy，——thenitisabird。Justsoman，whenhewalks，turns，raises，drags，workswithhisfingers，withhiseyes，withhisears，withhistongue，withhisbrain，——onlythenishesatisfied，onlythenisheaman。
Amanwhoacknowledgeshisappointmenttolaborwillnaturallystrivetowardsthatrotationoflaborwhichispeculiartohim，forthesatisfactionofhisinwardrequirements；andhecanalterthislaborinnootherwaythanwhenhefeelswithinhimselfanirresistiblesummonstosomeexclusiveformoflabor，andwhenthedemandsofothermenforthatlaborareexpressed。
Thecharacteroflaborissuch，thatthesatisfactionofallaman’srequirementsdemandsthatsamesuccessionofthesortsofworkwhichrendersworknotaburdenbutajoy。Onlyafalsecreed，[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]，totheeffectthatlaborisacurse，couldhaveledmentoridthemselvesofcertainkindsofwork；i。e。，totheappropriationoftheworkofothers，demandingtheforcedoccupationwithspeciallaborofotherpeople，whichtheycalldivisionoflabor。
Wehaveonlygrownusedtoourfalsecomprehensionoftheregulationoflabor，becauseitseemstousthattheshoemaker，themachinist，thewriter，orthemusicianwillbebetteroffifhegetsridofthelaborpeculiartoman。Wherethereisnoforceexercisedoverthelaborofothers，oranyfalsebeliefinthejoyofidleness，notasinglemanwillgetridofphysicallabor，necessaryforthesatisfactionofhisrequirements，forthesakeofspecialwork；
becausespecialworkisnotaprivilege，butasacrificewhichmanofferstoinwardpressureandtohisbrethren。
Theshoemakerinthecountry，whoabandonshiswontedlaborinthefield，whichissogratefultohim，andbetakeshimselftohistrade，inordertorepairormakebootsforhisneighbors，alwaysdepriveshimselfofthepleasanttoilofthefield，simplybecausehelikestomakeboots，becauseheknowsthatnooneelsecandoitsowellashe，andthatpeoplewillbegratefultohimforit；butthedesirecannotoccurtohim，todeprivehimself，forthewholeperiodofhislife，ofthecheeringrotationoflabor。
Itisthesamewiththestarosta[villageelder]，themachinist，thewriter，thelearnedman。Tous，withourcorruptconceptionofthings，itseems，thatifastewardhasbeenrelegatedtothepositionofapeasantbyhismaster，orifaministerhasbeensenttothecolonies，hehasbeenchastised，hehasbeenill—treated。
Butinrealityabenefithasbeenconferredonhim；thatistosay，hisspecial，hardlaborhasbeenchangedintoacheerfulrotationoflabor。Inanaturallyconstitutedsociety，thisisquiteotherwise。
Iknowofonecommunitywherethepeoplesupportedthemselves。Oneofthemembersofthissocietywasbettereducatedthantherest；
andtheycalleduponhimtoread，sothathewasobligedtopreparehimselfduringtheday，inorderthathemightreadintheevening。
Thishedidgladly，feelingthathewasusefultoothers，andthathewasperformingagooddeed。Buthegrewwearyofexclusivelyintellectualwork，andhishealthsufferedfromit。Themembersofthecommunitytookpityonhim，andrequestedhimtogotoworkinthefields。
Formenwhoregardlaborasthesubstanceandthejoyoflife，thebasis，thefoundationoflifewillalwaysbethestrugglewithnature，——laborbothagriculturalandmechanical，andintellectual，andtheestablishmentofcommunionbetweenmen。Departurefromoneorfrommanyofthesevarietiesoflabor，andtheadoptionofspeciallabor，willthenonlyoccurwhenthemanpossessedofaspecialbranch，andlovingthiswork，andknowingthathecanperformitbetterthanothers，sacrificeshisownprofitforthesatisfactionofthedirectdemandsmadeuponhim。Onlyonconditionofsuchaviewoflabor，andofthenaturaldivisionoflaborarisingfromit，isthatcursewhichislaiduponourideaoflaborabrogated，anddoeseverysortofworkbecomesalwaysajoy；becauseamanwilleitherperformthatlaborwhichisundoubtedlyusefulandjoyous，andnotdull，orhewillpossesstheconsciousnessofself—
abnegationinthefulfilmentofmoredifficultandrestrictedtoil，whichheexercisesforthegoodofothers。
Butthedivisionoflaborismoreprofitable。Moreprofitableforwhom？Itismoreprofitableinmakingthegreatestpossiblequantityofcalico，andbootsintheshortestpossibletime。Butwhowillmakethesebootsandthiscalico？Therearepeoplewho，forwholegenerations，makeonlytheheadsofpins。Thenhowcanthisbemoreprofitableformen？Ifthepointliesinmanufacturingasmuchcalicoandasmanypinsaspossible，thenthisisso。Butthepointconcernsmenandtheirwelfare。Andthewelfareofmenliesinlife。Andlifeiswork。How，then，canthenecessityforburdensome，oppressivetoilbemoreprofitableforpeople？Forallmen，thatonethingismoreprofitablewhichIdesireformyself，——
theutmostwell—being，andthegratificationofallthoserequirements，bothbodilyandspiritual，oftheconscienceandofthereason，whichareimposeduponme。AndinmyowncaseIhavefound，thatformyownwelfare，andforthesatisfactionoftheseneedsofmine，allthatIrequireistocuremyselfofthatfollyinwhichIhadbeenliving，incompanywiththeKrapivenskymadman，andwhichconsistedinpresupposingthatsomepeopleneednotwork，andthatcertainotherpeopleshoulddirectallthis，andthatIshouldthereforedoonlythatwhichisnaturaltoman，i。e。，laborforthesatisfactionoftheirrequirements；and，havingdiscoveredthis，I
convincedmyselfthatlaborforthesatisfactionofone’sownneedsfallsofitselfintovariouskindsoflabor，eachoneofwhichpossessesitsowncharm，andwhichnotonlydonotconstituteaburden，butwhichserveasarespitetooneanother。Ihavemadearoughdivisionofthislabor（notinsistingonthejusticeofthisarrangement），inaccordancewithmyownneedsinlife，intofourparts，correspondingtothefourstintsoflaborofwhichthedayiscomposed；andIseekinthismannertosatisfymyrequirements。
These，then，aretheanswerswhichIhavefoundformyselftothequestion，\"Whatistobedone？\"
First，Nottolietomyself，howeverfarremovedmypathinlifemaybefromthetruepathwhichmyreasondisclosestome。
Second，Torenouncemyconsciousnessofmyownrighteousness，mysuperiorityespeciallyoverotherpeople；andtoacknowledgemyguilt。
Third，Tocomplywiththateternalandindubitablelawofhumanity，—
—thelaborofmywholebeing，feelingnoshameatanysortofwork；
tocontendwithnatureforthemaintenanceofmyownlifeandthelivesofothers。
Footnote：
{1}Anomissionbythecensor，whichIamunabletosupply。TRANS。
{2}Wedesignateasorganismstheelephantandthebacterian，onlybecauseweassumebyanalogyinthosecreaturesthesameconjunctionoffeelingandconsciousnessthatweknowtoexistinourselves。
Butinhumansocietiesandinhumanity，thisactualsignisabsent；
andtherefore，howevermanyothersignswemaydiscoverinhumanityandinorganism，withoutthissubstantialtokentherecognitionofhumanityasanorganismisincorrect。
{3}vprikusku，whenalumpofsugarisheldintheteethinsteadorbeingputintothetea。