The Embodiment of the Proletarian Will to Power?
ONE of Lenin's most notable characteristics was his will power. He knew nothing but the revolution, and had been pursuing this end with all his energy. So-called public opinion had no influence over him. He never paid any attention to "what the other fellow will say." He always felt the pulsation of the working class, because he was so closely connected with it. He also knew how to swim against the current, how to overcome obstacles, whenever this was demanded by the revolution. Let us recollect how he passed to Russia thru Germany at the beginning of the revolution without paying the least attention to the insinuations of the capitalist and reformist press the world over. He possessed the ability to concentrate his will power and to strike the enemy at the weakest spot. While he was very patient with his friends he never knew or showed any tolerance to the betrayers of the working class. When a friend of yesterday would become the enemy of today Lenin would pursue the same tactics of uncompromising hostility. His tactics were always elastic, which enabled him to utilize even the slightest mistake of his opponent in order to drive a wedge into the ranks of the enemy. He never shunned responsibility, especially in decisive moments of struggle. He always knew what he wanted. The most characteristic feature of the political and moral physiognomy of Lenin, this gigantic concentration of the will of the proletariat, were his extraordinary will power and his all-inclusive spirit.
33
