Ishallbetold, perhaps, thatAlyoshawasstupid, undeveloped, hadnotfinishedhisstudies, , buttosaythathewasstupidordullwouldbeagreatinjustice.I', atthattime, —thatis, honestinnature, desiringthetruth, seekingforitandbelievinginit, andseekingtoserveitatoncewithallthestrengthofhissoul, seekingforimmediateaction, andreadytosacrificeeverything, lifeitself, , inmanycases, theeasiestofallsacrifices, andthattosacrifice, forinstance, fiveorsixyearsoftheirseethingyouthtohardandtediousstudy, ifonlytomultiplytenfoldtheirpowersofservingthetruthandthecausetheyhavesetbeforethemastheirgoal—, , andatonceheinstinctivelysaidtohimself: "Iwanttoliveforimmortality, andIwillacceptnocompromise."Inthesameway, ifhehaddecidedthatGodandimmortalitydidnotexist, , itisbeforeallthingstheatheisticquestion, thequestionoftheformtakenbyatheismto-day, thequestionofthetowerofBabelbuiltwithoutGod, : "GiveallthatthouhasttothepoorandfollowMe, ifthouwouldstbeperfect."
