Roots of the Catholic Worker Movement: Saints and Philosophers who Influenced Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin

Easy Essay by Peter Maurin

The Wisdom of Dostoevsky: The Monastic Way is very Different

Distorted Truth
Look at the worldly
and all who set themselves up
above the temple of God.
Has not God's image and His truth
been distorted in them?
Nothing in Science
They have science;
but in science there is nothing
but what is the object of sense.
The spiritual world,
the highest part of man's being
is rejected altogether,
dismissed with a sort of triumph,
even with hatred.
The Reign of Freedom
The world has proclaimed the
reign of freedom
but what do we see in this
freedom of theirs?
Nothing but slavery
and self-destruction.
Satisfied Desires
The world says: "You have desires
and so satisfy them,
for you have the same rights
as the rich and powerful.
Don't be afraid to satisfy
and even multiply your desires.
Unsatisfied Desires
What follows from this right
of multiplication of desires?
In the rich, isolation and
spiritual suicide;
in the poor, envy and murder;
for they have been given rights
but have not been shown
the means to satisfy their wants.
Distorted Nature
Alas, put no faith
in such bond of union.
Interpreting freedom
as the multiplication
and rapid satisfaction of desires,
men distort their own nature,
for many senseless and
foolish desires and habits
and ridiculous fancies
are foisted on them.
Committing Suicide
Men live for mutual envy
For luxury and ostentation.
To have dinners, visits, rank,
and slaves to wait on one
is looked upon as a necessity
for which life, honor and
human feeling
are sacrificed;
and men even commit suicide
if they are unable to satisfy it.
Resorting to Drunkenness
We see the same thing
among those who are not rich,
while the poor
drown their unsatisfied need
and envy
in drunkenness.
But soon they will drink blood
instead of wine,
for they are led on to it.
The Road to Freedom
The monastic way
is very different.
Obedience, fasting and prayer,
are laughed at,
yet only through them
lies the way
to real, true freedom.
Public Service
Which is more capable
of conceiving a great idea
and serving it-
the rich in his isolation
or the man who has freed
himself
from the tyranny
of material things and habits?
Monk and Peasant
Take care of the peasant
and guard his heart.
Go on educating him quietly.
That is your duty as monks
for the peasant
has God in his heart.
(The words of Father Zossima in The Brothers Karamazov.)
Reprinted from The Catholic Worker, May 1, 1934.

Houston Catholic Worker, Vol. XXII, No. 4, July-August 2002.