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in the face, and I will retaliate with two slaps. No, my son; Christ did
not teach us foolish people to act in such a way. If any one should say
an unkind word to you it is better not to answer at all; but if you
do reply do it kindly, and his conscience will accuse him, and he will
regret his unkindness to you. This is the way Christ taught us to live.
He tells us that if a person smite us on the one cheek we should offer
unto him the other. That is Christ's command to us, and we should follow
it. You should therefore subdue your pride. Am I not right?"
Ivan remained silent, but his father's words had sunk deep into his
heart.
The old man coughed and continued: "Do you think Christ thought us
wicked? Did he not die that we might be saved? Now you think only of
this earthly life. Are you better or worse for thinking alone of it? Are
you better or worse for having begun that Plevna battle? Think of your
expense at court and the time lost in going back and forth, and what
have you gained? Your sons have reached manhood, and are able now to
work for you. You are therefore at liberty to enjoy life and be happy.
With the assistance of your children you could reach a high state of
prosperity. But now your property instead of increasing is gradually
growing less, and why? It is the result of your pride. When it becomes
necessary for you and your boys to go to the field to work, your enemy
instead summons you to appear at court or before some kind of judicial
person. If you do not plow at the proper time and sow at the proper time
mother earth will not yield up her products, and you and your children
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