thing, but if it becomes an aim in itself, it will inevitably lead to evil.[1]
But, above all—above all, I say to you from soul to soul, dear friend, the chief aim, infinite, joyful, always attainable, and worthy of the powers which are given us, is the increase of love.
And increase of love is attainable by one definite effort; by the cleansing of one's soul from all that is personal, lustful, inimical. "The human soul is Christian," it has been said ; i.e. love is not only natural to it, but its very essence is love ; and therefore in order to strengthen, augment love, it is only necessary to cleanse the soul, to polish it, like a glass for collecting rays. The more polished and clean it is, the more powerfully will it transmit and focus the light and warmth of love.
And this work has no end, no obstacles, its joy is unlimited, and there is nothing good, nothing that a man should do which does not enter as a part into this work,—the work of cleansing one's soul and thus increasing love.
You know this, dear friend, you know this joy, for you have been
- ↑ See also Tolstoy's letter on "Communal life" in Some Social Remedies, uniform with this.—Note by Ed.
