“Whether general evolution is proceeding or not is again another question. It is enough for us to realize that it is possible, and therefore evolu’ on for people outside the ‘ways’ is possible. Speaking more correctly there are two ‘ways.’ One we will call the ‘subjective way.’ It includes all four ways of which we have spoken. The other we will call the ‘OBJECTIVE WAY.’ This is the way of people in life. You must not take the names ‘subjective’ and ‘objective’ too literally. They express only one aspect. I take them only because there are no other words.” Fragments: Seventeen

“No,” said G. “It would be more incorrect than ‘subjective’ and ‘objective’ because the subjective way is not individual in the general meaning of this word, because this way is a ‘school way.’ From this point of view the ‘OBJECTIVE WAY’ is much more individual because it admits of many more individual peculiarities. No, it is better to leave these names — ‘subjective’ and ‘objective.’ They are not altogether suitable but we will take them conditionally. Fragments: Seventeen

“People of the OBJECTIVE WAY simply live in life. They are those whom we call good people. Particular systems and methods are not necessary for them; making use of ordinary religious or intellectual teachings and ordinary morality, they live at the same time according to conscience. They do not of necessity do much good, but they do no evil. Sometimes they happen to be quite uneducated, simple people but they understand life very well, they have a right valuation of things and a right outlook. And they are of course perfecting themselves and evolving. Only their way can be very long with many unnecessary repetitions.” Fragments: Seventeen

I had for a long time wanted to get G. to talk about repetition but he always avoided it. So it was on this occasion. Without answering my question about repetition he continued: “It often seems to people of the ‘way,’ that is, of the subjective way, especially those who are just beginning, that other people, that is, people of the OBJECTIVE WAY, are not moving. But this is a great mistake. A simple obyvatel may sometimes do such work within him that he will overtake another, a monk or even a yogi. Fragments: Seventeen

“Obyvatel is a strange word in the Russian language. It is used in the sense of ‘inhabitant,’ without any particular shade. At the same time it is used to express contempt or derision — ‘obyvatel’ — as though there could be nothing worse. But those who speak in this way do not understand that the obyvatel is the healthy kernel of life. And from the point of view of the possibility of evolution, a good obyvatel has many more chances than a ‘lunatic’ or a ‘tramp.’ Afterwards I will perhaps explain what I mean by these two words. In the meantime we will talk about the obyvatel. I do not at all wish to say that all obyvatels are people of the OBJECTIVE WAY. Nothing of the kind. Among them are thieves, rascals, and fools; but there are others. I merely wish to say that being a good obyvatel by itself does not hinder the ‘way’ And finally there are different types of obyvatel. Imagine, for example, the type of obyvatel who lives all his life just as the other people round him, conspicuous in nothing, perhaps a good master, who makes money, and is perhaps even close-fisted. At the same time he dreams all his life of monasteries, for instance, and dreams that some time or other he will leave everything and go into a monastery. And such things happen in the East and in Russia. A man lives and works, then, when his children or his grandchildren are grown up, he gives everything to them and goes into a monastery. This is the obyvatel of which I speak. Perhaps he does not go into a monastery, perhaps he does not need this. His own life as an obyvatel can be his way. Fragments: Seventeen