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| 1 | 38 | 77 | 115 | 153 |
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STYÓPA. Yes, quite enough, and I also don't understand it. [Exit].
NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [turns to Priest] Well, what impression did the book
make on you?
PRIEST [agitated] How shall I put it? Well, the historic part is
insufficiently worked out, and it is not fully convincing, or let us
say, quite reliable; because the materials are, as a matter of fact,
insufficient. Neither the Divinity of Christ, nor His lack of Divinity,
can be proved historically; there is but one irrefragable proof....
During this conversation first the ladies and then Peter Semyónovich
go out.
NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. You mean the Church?
PRIEST. Well, of course, the Church, and the evidence, let's say, of
reliable men--the Saints for instance.
NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Of course, it would be excellent if there existed a
set of infallible people to confide in. It would be very desirable; but
its desirability does not prove that they exist!
PRIEST. And I believe that just that is the proof. The Lord could not
in fact have exposed His law to the possibility of mutilation or
misinterpretation, but must in fact have left a guardian of His truth to
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