Bad Men

Day 158 of A Year of War and Peace

Imagine being an acquaintance of someone like Anatole Kuragin. Someone like, say, a colleague, a work associate, or even a family member. How does one deal with a man of such low character?

Just look at the guy: he’s rude and boisterous and lacks all moral fiber. He holds everyone, probably even his own family, in contemptuous disregard. He’s little more than a petulant child. He has abandoned his wife to live first as a libertine in Russia and then as the debaucher of a young, innocent woman affianced already to another man. Anatole is a coward, too, because the other man is currently abroad and therefore not around to do anything about it.

In today’s chapter Anatole fares no better. He continues to insist that his “friends” go along with his crazy plan. Then, when it’s time to say goodbye, there is not even a hint of a heartfelt sense of sorrow at their parting. Nope. Instead, it appears all Anatole regrets about his decision to elope is that his “revels” in Moscow are now over.

In the upcoming chapters we’ll be introduced to all manner of natural responses to Anatole’s behavior. We’ll see hatred, sorrow, anger, and frustration. Though these are all instinctive responses to the abhorrent behavior of another person they may not be the smartest response. Such responses, after all, are highly disruptive to the tranquil mind. Much better, perhaps, to take a calm step back and accept the world of human action as flawed and broken. Then attempt to help the man in error. If he refuses help forgive him and move along, accepting his refusal as outside the realm of your control.

DAILY MEDITATION