Itissaid，\"Howcanpeoplelivewithoutgovernments—thatis，withoutviolence？\"Butitshould，onthecontrary，beasked，\"Howcanpeoplewhoarerationallive，acknowledgmgthatthevitalbondoftheirsociallifeisviolence，andnotreasonableagreement？\"
Oneoftwothings—eitherpeoplearerationalorirrationalbeings。
Iftheyareirrationalbeings，thentheyareallirrational，andtheneverythingamongthemisdecidedbyviolence；andthereisnoreasonwhycertainpeopleshouldandothersshouldnothavearighttouseviolence。Andinthatcasegovernmentalviolencehasnojustification。Butifmenarerationalbeings，thentheirrelationsshouldbebasedonreason，andnotontheviolenceofthosewhohappentohaveseizedpower；and，therefore，inthatcase，again，governmentalviolencehasnojustification。*Theartelinitsmostusualformisanassociationofworkmen，oremployees，foreachofwhomthearteliscollectivelyresponsible。—Translator**Serfdomwaslegalisedabout1597byBorisGodunoff，whoforbadethepeasantstoleavethelandonwhichtheyweresettled。Thepeasants’theoryofthematterwasthattheybelongedtotheproprietor，butthelandbelongedtothem。\"Weareyours，butthelandisours，\"wasacommonsayingamongthemtilltheiremancipationunderAlexanderII。，whenmanyofthemfeltthemselvesdefraudedbythearrangementwhichgavehalfthelandtotheproprietors。—Trans。
***Thesokhaisalightplough，suchastheRussianpeasantsmakeanduse。—Trans。
TheSlaveryofOurTimes——Ch14——LeoTolstoyFromTheSlaveryofOurTimesbyLeoTolstoyCHAPTERXIV。
HOWCANGOVERNMENTSBEABOLISHED？
SLAVERYresultsfromlaws，lawsaremadebygovernments，and，therefore，peoplecanonlybefreedfromslaverybytheabolitionofgovernments。
Buthowcangovernmentsbeabolished？
Allattemptstogetridofgovernmentsbyviolencehavehitherto，alwaysandeverywhere，resultedonlyinthis：thatinplaceofthedeposedgovernmentsnewonesestablishedthemselves，oftenmorecruelthanthosetheyreplaced。
Nottomentionpastattemptstoabolishgovemmentsbyviolence，accordingtotheSocialisttheory，thecomingabolitionoftheruleofthecapitalists—thatis，thecommunalisationofthemeansofproductionandtheneweconomicorderofsociety—isalsotobecarriedoutbyafreshorganisationofviolence，andwillhavetobemaintainedbythesamemeans。Sothatattemptstoabolishviolencebyviolenceneitherhaveinthepastnor，evidently，caninthefutureemancipatepeoplefromviolencenor，consequently，fromslavery。
Itcannotbeotherwise。
Apartfromoutburstsofrevengeoranger，violenceisusedonlyinordertocompelsomepeople，againsttheirownwill，todothewillofothers。Butthenecessitytodowhatotherpeoplewishagainstyourownwillisslavery。
And，therefore，aslongasanyviolence，designedtocompelsomepeopletodothewillofothers，existstherewillbeslavery。
Alltheattemptstoabolishslaverybyviolencearelikeextinguishingfirewithfire，stoppingwaterwithwater，orfillinguponeholebydigginganother。
Therefore，themeansofescapefromslavery，ifsuchmeansexist，mustbefound，notinsettingupfreshviolence，butinabolishingwhateverreudersgovernmentalviolencepossible。Andthepossibilityofgovernmentalviolence，likeeveryotherviolenceperpetratedbyasmallnumberofpeopleuponalargernumber，hasalwaysdepended，andstilldepends，simplyonthefactthatthesmallnumberarearmedwhilethelargenumberareUnarmed，orthatthesmallnuinberarebetterarmedthanthelargenumber。
Thathasbeenthecaseinalltheconquests：
itwasthustheGreeks，theRomans，theKnights，andPizarrosconquerednations，anditisthusthatpeoplearenowconqueredinAfricaandAsia。Andinthissamewayintimesofpeaceallgovernmentsholdtheirsubjectsinsubjection。
Asofold，sonow，peopleruleoverotherpeopleonlybecausesomearearmedandothersarenot。
Inoldentimesthewarriors，withtheirchiefs，felluponthedefencelessinhabitants，subduedthemandrobbedthem，andalldividedthespoilsinproportiontotheirparticipation，courageandcruelty；andeachwarriorsawclearlythattheviolenceheperpetratedwasprofitabletohim。Now，armedmen（takenchieflyfromtheworkingclasses）attackdefencelesspeople：menonstrikes，rioters，ortheinhabitantsofothercountries，andsubduethemandrobthem—thatis，makethemyieldthefruitsoftheirlabour—notforthemselves，butforpeoplewhodonoteventakeashareinthesubjugation。
Thedifferencebetweentheconquerorsandthegovernmentsisonlythattheconquerorshavethemselves，withtheirsoldiers，attackedtheunarmedinhabitantsandhave，incasesofinsubordination，carriedtheirthreatstotortureandtokillintoexecution；whilethegovernments，incasesofinsubordination，donotthemselvestortureorexecutetheunarmedinhabitants，butobligeotherstodoitwhohavebeendeceivedandspeciallybrutalisedforthepurpose，andwhoarechosenfromamongtheverypeopleonwhomthegovernmentinflictsviolence。
Thus，violencewasformerlyinflictedbypersonaleffort，bythecourage，crueltyandagilityoftheconquerorsthemselves，butnowviolenceisinflictedbymeansoffraud。
Sothatifformerly，inordertogetridofarmedviolence，itwasnecessarytoarmoneselfandtoopposearmedviolencebyarmedviolence，nowwhenpeoplearesubdued，notbydirectviolence，butbyfraud，inordertoabolishviolenceitisonlynecessarytoexposethedeceptionwhichenablesasmallnumberofpeopletoexerciseviolenceuponalargernumber。
Thedeceptionbymeansofwhichthisisdoneconsistsinthefactthatthesmallnumberwhorule，onobtainingpowerfromtheirpredecessors，whowereinstalledbyconquest，saytothemajority：\"Therearealotofyou，butyouarestupidanduneducated，andcannoteithergovernyourselvesororganiseyourpublicaffairs，and，therefore，wewilltakethosecaresonourselves；wewillprotectyoufromforeignfoes，andarrangeandmaintaininternalpeaceamongyou；wewillsetupcourtsofjustice，arrangeforyouandtakecareofpublicinstitutions—schools，roads，andthepostalserviceandingeneralwewilltakecareofyourwell—being；andinreturnforallthisyouonlyhavetofulfilthoseslightdemandswhichwemake，and，amongotherthings，youmustgiveintoourcompletecontrolasmallpartofyourincomes，andyoumustyourselvesenterthearmieswhichareneededforyourownsafetyandgovernment。
Andmostpeopleagreetothis，notbecausetheyhaveweighedtheadvantagesanddisadvantagesof~theseconditions（theyneverhaveachancetodothat），butbecausefromtheirverybirththeyhavefoundthemselvesinconditionssuchasthese。
Ifdoubtssuggestthemselvestosomepeopleastowhetherallthisisnecessary，eachonethinksonlyabouthimself，andfearstostifferifherefusestoaccepttheseconditions；eachonehopestotakeadvantageofthemforhisownprofit，andeveryoneagrees，thinkingthatbypayingasmallpartofhismeanstothegovernment，andbyconsentingtomilitaryservice，hecannotdohimselfverymuchharm。
But，inreality，submissiontothedemandsofgovernmentdepriveshimofallthatisvaluableinhumanlife。
Andwhenthesoldiersareenrolled，andhired，andarmed，theyaresubjectedtoaspecialtrainingcalleddiscipline，introducedinrecenttimes，sincesoldiershaveceasedtosharetheplunder。
Disciplineconsistsinthis，thatbycomplexandartfulmethods，whichhavebeenperfectedinthecourseofages，peoplewhoaresubjectedtothistrainingandremainunderitforsometimearecompletelydeprivedofman’schiefattribute，rationalfreedom，andbecomesubmissive，machine—likeinstrumentsofmurderinthehandsoftheirorganisedhierarchicalstratocracy。Anditisinthisdisciplinedarmythattheessenceofthefrauddwellswhichgivestomoderngovernmentsdominionoverthepeoples。
Assoonasthegovernmenthasthemoneyandthesoldiers，insteadoffulfillingtheirpromisestodefendtheirsubjectsfromforeignenemies，andtoarrangethingsfortheirbenefit，theydoalltheycantoprovoketheneighbouringnationsandtoproducewar；andtheynotonlydonotpromotetheinternalwell—beingoftheirpeople，buttheyruinandcorruptthem。
IntheArabianNightstllereisastoryofatravellerwho，beingcastuponanuninhabitedisland，foundalittleoldmanwithwitheredlegssittingonthegroundbythesideofastream。Theoldmanaskedthetravellertotakehimonhisshoulderandtocarryhimoverthestream。Thetravellerconsented；butnosoonerwastheoldmansettledonthetraveller’sshouldersthantheformertwinedhislegsroundthelatter’sneckandwouldnotgetoffagain。Havingcontrolofthetraveller，theoldmandrovehimaboutasheliked，pluckedfruitfromtlietreesandateithimself，notgivinganytohisbearer，andabusedhimineveryway。
Thisisjustwhathappenswiththepeoplewhogivesoldiersandmoneytothegovernments。Withthemoneythegovernmentsbuygunsandlureortrainupbyeducationsubservient，brutalisedmilitarycommanders。Andthesecommanders，bymeansofanartfulsystemofstupefaction，perfectedinthecourseofagesandcalleddiscipline，makethosewhohavebeentakenassoldiersintoadisciplinedarmy。Whenthegovernmentshaveintheirpowerthisinstrumentofviolenceandmurder，thatpossessesnowillofitsown，thewholepeopleareintheirhands，andtheydonotletthemgoagain，andnotonlypreyuponthem，butalsoabusethem，instillingintothepeople，bymeansofapseudo—religiousandpatrioticeducation，loyaltytoan（levenadoratioiiofthenlselves~tliatis，oftheverymenwhokeepthewholepeopleinslaveryandtormentthem。
Itisnotfornothingthatallthekings，emperors，andpresidentsesteemdisciplinesohighly，aresoafraidofanybreachofdiscipline，andattachthehighestimportancetoreviews，man~uvres，parades，ceremonialmarchesandothersuchnonsense。Theyknowthatitallmaintainsdiscipline，andthatnotonlytheirpower，buttheirveryexistencedependsondiscipline。
Adisciplinedarmyisnotevenrequiredforadefensivewar，ashasoftenbeenshowninhistoryandaswasagaindemonstratedtheotherdayinSouthAfrica。Adisciplinedarmyisonlyneededforconquest~thatis，forrobbery，orforfratricideorparricide，aswasexpressedbythatmoststupidorinsolentofcrownedpersonages，WilliamII。，whomadeaspeechtol]i~recruitstellingthemtheyhadswornobediencetohim，andoughttobereadytokilltheirownbrothersandfathersshouldhedesireit。Disciplinedarmiesarethemeansbywhichthey，withoutusingtheirownhands，accomplishthegreatestatrocities，thepossibilityofperpetratingwhichgivesthempoweroverthepeople。
And，therefore，theonlymeanstodestroygovernmentsisnotforce，butitistheexposureofthisfraud。Itisnecessarypeopleshouldunderstand：First，thatinchristendomthereisnoneedtoprotectthepeoplesonefromanotber；thatalltheenmityofthepeoples，onetoanother，areproducedbythegovernmentsthemselves，andthatarmiesareonlyneededbythesmallnumberofthosewhoruleforthepeopleitisnotonlyunnecessary，butitisinthehighestdegreeharmful，servingastheinstrumenttoenslavethem。Secondly，itisnecessarythatpeopleshouldunderstandthatthedisciplinewhichissohighlyesteemedbyallthegovernmentsisthegreatestofcrimesthatmancancommit，andisaclearindicationofthecriminalityoftheaimsofgovernments。
Disciplineisthesuppressionofreasonandoffreedominman，andcanhavenootheraimthanpreparationfortheperformanceofcrimessuchasnomancancommitwhileinanormalcondition。Itisnotevenneededforwar，wlienthewarisdefensiveandnational，astheBoershaverecentlyshown。ItiswantedandwantedonlyforthepurposeindicatedbyWilliamII。——forthecommittalofthegreatestcrimes，frat—
ricideandparricide。
Theterribleoldmanwhosatonthetraveller’sshouldersbehavedinthesameway：hemockedhimandinsultedhim，knowingthataslongashesatonthetraveller’sneckthelatterwasinhispower。
Anditisjustthisfraud，bymeansofwhichasmallnumberofunworthypeople，calledthegovernment，havepoweroverthepeople，andnotonlyimpoverishthem，butdowhatisthemostharmfulofallactions—pervertwholegenerationsfromchildhoodupwards—justthisterriblefraudwhichshouldbeexposed，inorderthattheabolitionofgovernmentandoftheslaverythatresultsfromitmaybecomepossible。
TheGermanwriterEugenSchmitt，inthenewspaperOhneStaat，thathepublishedinBuda—Pesth，wroteanarticlethatwasprofoundlytrueandbold，notonlyinexpression，butinthought。Initheshowedthatgovernments，justifyingtheirexistenceonthegroundthattheyensureacertainkindofsafetytotheirsubjects，areliketheCalabrianrobber—chiefwhocollectedaregulartaxfromallwhowishedtotravelinsafetyalongthehighways。
Schmittwascommittedfortrialforthatarticle，butwasacquittedbythejury。
Wearesohypnotisedbythegovernmentsthatsuchacomparisonseemstousanexaggeration，aparadox，orajoke；butinrealityitisnotaparadoxorajoke；theonlyinaccuracyinthecomparisonisthattheactivityofallthegovernmentsismanytimesmoreinhumanand，aboveall，moreharmfulthantheactivityoftheCalabrianrobber。
Therobbergenerallyplunderedtherich，thegovernmentsgenerallyplunderthepoorandprotectthoserichwhoassistintheircrimes。
Therobberdoinghisworkriskedhislife，whilethegovernmentsrisknothing，butbasetheirwholeactivityonliesanddeception。Therobberdidnotcompelanyonetojoinhisband，thegovernmentsgenerallyenroltheirsoldiersbyforce。Allwhopaidthetaxtotherobberhadequalsecurityfromdanger。Butinthestate，themoreanyonetakespartintheorganisedfraudthemorehereceivesnotmerelyofprotection，butalsoofreward。Mostofall，theemperors，kingsandpresidentsareprotected（withtheirperpetualbody—guards），andtheycanspendthelargestshareofthemoneycollectedfromthetaxpayingsubjects；nextinthescaleofparticipationinthegovernmentalcrimescomethecommanders~in~chief，theministers，theheadsofpolice，governors，andsoon，downtothepolicemen，whoareleastprotected，andwhoreceivethesmallestsalariesofall。
Thosewhodonottakeanypartinthecrimesofgovernment，whorefusetoserve，topaytaxes，ortogotolaw，aresubjectedtoviolence；asamongtherobbers。Therobberdoesnotintentionallyvitiatepeople，butthegovernments，toaccomplishtheirends，vitiatewholegenerationsfromchildhoodtomanhoodwithfalsereligionsandpatrioticinstruction。
Aboveall，noteventhemostcruelrobber，noStenkaRazin*orCartouche**canbecomparedforcruelty，pitilessnessandingenuityintorturing，Iwillnotsaywiththevillainkingsnotoriousfortlleircruelty—JohntheTerrible，LouisXI。，theElizabeths，etc。—butevenwiththepresentconstitutionalandliberalgovernments，withtheirsolitarycells，disciplinarybattalions，suppressionsofrevolts，andtheirmassacresinwar。
Towardsgovernments，astowardschurches，itisimpossibletofeelotherwisethanwithvenerationoraversion。Untilamanhasunderstoodwhatagovernmentisanduntilhehasunderstoodwhatachurchishecannotbutfeelvenerationtowardsthoseinstitutions。Aslongasheisguidedbythemhisvanitymakesitnecessaryforhimtothinkthatwhatguideshimissomethingprimal，greatandholy；butassoonasheunderstandsthatwhatguideshimisnotsomethingprimalandholy，butthatitisafraudcarriedoutbyunworthypeople，who，underthepretenceofguidinghim，makeuseofhimfortheirownpersonalends，hecannotbutatoncefeelaversiontowardsthesepeople，andthemoreimportantthesideofhislifethathasbeenguidedthemoreaversionwillhefeel。
Peoplecannotbutfeelthiswhentheyhaveunderstoodwhatgovernmentsare。
Peoplemustfeelthattheirparticipationinthecriminalactivityofgovernments，whetherbygivingpartoftheirworkintheformofmoney，orbydirectparticipationinmilitaryservice，isnot，asisgenerallysupposed，anindifferentaction，but，besidesbeingharmfultoone’ss~fandtoone’sbrothers，isaparticipationinthecrimesunceasinglycommittedbyallgovernmentsandapreparationfornewcrimes，whichgovernmentsarealwayspreparingbymaintainingdisciplinedarmies。
Theageofvenerationforgovernments，notwithstandingallthehypnoticinfluencetheyemploytomaintaintheirposition，ismoreandmorepassingaway。Anditistimeforpeopletounderstandthatgovernmentsnotonlyarenotnecessary，butareharmfulandmosthighlyimmoralinstitutions，inwhichaself—respecting，honestmancannotandmustnottakepart，andtheadvantagesofwhichhecannotandshouldnotenjoy。
Andassoonaspeopleclearlyunderstandthat，theywillnaturallyceasetotakepartinsuchdeeds—thatis，ceasetogivethegovernmentssoldiersandmoney。Andassoonasamajorityofpeopleceasestodothisthefraudwhichenslavespeoplewillbeabolished。Onlyinthiswaycanpeoplebefreedfromslavery。*TheCossackleaderofaformidableinsyirrectioninthelatterhalfoftheseventeenthcentury。—Trans。
**ThechiefofaParisbandofrobbersintheearlyyearsoftheeighteenthcentury。—Trans。TheSlaveryofOurTimes——Ch15——LeoTolstoyFromTheSlaveryofOurTimesbyLeoTolstoyCHAPTERXV。
WHATSHOULDEACHMANDO？
\"BUTallthesearegeneralconsiderations，andwhethertheyarecorrectornot，theyareinapplicabletolife，\"willbetheremarkmadebypeopleaccustomedtotheirposition，andwhodonotconsideritpossible，orwhodonotwish，tochangeit。
\"Telluswhattodo，andhowtoorganisesociety，\"iswhatpeopleofthewell—to—doclassesusuallysay。
Peopleofthewell—to—doclassesaresoaccustomedtotheirroleofslaveownersthatwhenthereistalkofimprovingtheworkers’condition，theyatoncebegin，likeourserfownersbeforetheemancipation，todeviseallsortsofplansfortheirslaves；butitneveroccurstothemthattheyhavenorighttodisposeofotherpeople，andthatiftheyreallywishtodogoodtopeople，theonethingtheycanandshoulddoistoceasetodotheeviltheyarenowdoing。Andtheeviltheydoisverydefiniteandclear。Itisnotmerelythattheyemploycompulsoryslavelabour，anddonotwishtoceasefromemployingit，butthattheyalsotakepartinestablishingandmaintainingthiscorn—
pulsionoflabour。Thatiswhattheyshouldceasetodo。
Theworkingpeoplearealsosopervertedbytheircompulsoryslaverythatitseemstomostofthemthatiftheirpositionisabadone，itisthefaultofthemasters，whopaythemtoolittleandwhoowntIlemeansofproduction。
Itdoesnotentertheirheadsthattheirbadpositiondependsentirelyonthemselves，andthatifonlytheywishtoimprovetheirownandtheirbrothers’positions，andnotmerelyeachtodothebesthecanforhimself，thegreatthingforthemtodoisthemselvestoceasetodoevil。Andtheevilthattheydoisthat，desiringtoimprovetheirmaterialpositionbythesamemeanswhichhavebroughtthemintobondage，theworkers（forthesakeofsatisfyingthehabitstheyhaveadopted），sacrificingtheirhumandignityandfreedom，accepthumiliatingandimmoralemploymentorproduceunnecessaryandharmfularticles，and，aboveall，theymaintaingovernments，takingpartinthembypayingtaxesandbydirectservice，andthustheyenslavethemselves。
Inorderthatthestateofthingsmaybeimproved，boththewell—to—doclassesandtheworkersmustunderstandthatimprovementcannotbeeffectedbysafeguardingone’sowninterests。Serviceinvolvessacrifice，and，therefore，ifpeoplereallywishtoimprovethepositionoftheirbrothermen，andnotmerelytheirown，theymustbereadynotonlytoalterthewayoflifetowhichtheyareaccustomed，andtolosethoseadvantageswhichtheyhaveheld，buttheymustbereadyforanintensestruggle，notagainstgovernments，butagainstthemselvesandtheirfamilies，andmustbereadytosufferpersecutionfornon—fulfilmentofthedemandsofgovernment。
And，therefore，thereplytothequestion，Whatisitwemustdo？isverysimple，andnotmerelydefinite，butalwaysinthehighestdegreeapplicableandpracticableforeachman，thoughitisnotwhatisexpectedbythosewho，likepeopleofthewell—to—doclasses，arefullyconvincedthattheyareappointedtocorrectnotthemselves（theyarealreadygood），buttoteachandcorrectotherpeople；andbythosewho，liketheworkmen，aresurethatnotthey（butonlythecapitalists）areinfaultfortheirpresentbadposition，andthinkthatthingscanonlybeputrightbytakingfromthecapitaliststhethingstheyuse，andarrangingsothatallmightmakeuseofthoseconveniencesoflifewhicharenowonlyusedbytherich。Theanswerisverydefinite，applicable，andpracticable，foritdemandstheactivityofthatonepersonoverwhomeachofushasreal，rightful，andunquestionablepower—namely，one’sself—anditconsistsinthis，thatifaman，whetherslaveorslaveowner，reallywishestobetternothispositionalone，butthepositionofpeopleingeneral，hemustnothimselfdothosewrongthingswhichenslavehimandhisbrothers。
Andinordernottodotheevilwhichproducesmiseryforhimselfandforhisbrothers，heshould，firstofall，neitherwillinglynorundercompulsiontakeanypartingovernmentalactivity，andshould，therefore，beneitherasoldier，norafield—marshal，noraministerofstate，norataxcollector，norawitness，noranalderman，norajuryman，noragovernor，noramemberofParliament，nor，infact，holdanyofficeconnectedwithviolence。Thatisonething。
Secondly，suchamanshouldnotvoluntarilypaytaxestogovernments，eitherdirectlyorindirectly；norshouldheacceptmoneycollectedbytaxes，eitherassalary，oraspension，orasareward；norshouldhemakeuseofgovernmentalinstititutions，supportedbytaxescollectedbyviolencefromthepeople。Thatisthesecondthing。
Thirdly，amanwhodesiresnottopromotehisownwell—beingalone，buttobetterthepositionofpeopleingeneral，shouldnotappealtogovernmentalviolencefortheprotectionofhisownpossessionsinlandorinotherthings，nortodefendhimandhisnearones；butshouldonlypossesslandandallproductsofhisownorotherpeople’stoilinsofarasothersdonotclaimthemfromhim。
Butsuchanactivityisimpossible；torefuseallparticipationingovernmentalaffairsmeanstorefusetolive，iswhatpeoplewillsay。A
manwhorefusesmilitaryservicewillbeimprisoned；amanwhodoesnotpaytaxeswillbepunishedandthetaxwillbecollectedfromhisproperty；amanwho，havingnoothermeansofliveliliood，refusesgovernmentservice，willperishofhungerwithhisfamily；thesamewillbefallamanwhorejectsgovern—
mentalprotectionforhispropertyandhisperson；nottomakeuseofthingsthataretaxedorofgovernmentinstitutions，isquiteimpossible，asthemostnecessaryarticlesareoftentaxed；andjustinthesamewayitisimpossibletodowithoutgovernmentinstitutions，suchasthepost，theroads，etc。
Itisquitetruethatitisdifficultforamanofourtimestostandasidefromallparticipationingovernmentalviolence。Butthefactthatnoteveryonecansoarrangehislifeasnottoparticipateinsomedegreeingovernmentalviolencedoesnotatallshowthatitisnotpossibletofreeone’sselffromitmoreandmore。Noteverymanwillhavethestrengthtorefuseconscription（thoughthereareandwillbesuchmen），buteachmancanabstainfromvoluntarilyenteringthearmy，thepoliceforce，andthejudicialorrevenueservice；andcangivethepreferencetoaworsepaidprivateserviceratherthantoabetterpaidpublicservice。Noteverymanwillhavethestrengthtorenouncehislandedestates（thoughtherearepeoplewhodothat），buteverymancan，understandingthewrongfulnessofsuchproperty，diminishitsextent。Noteverymancanrenouncethepossessionofcapital（therearesomewhodo）ortheuseofarticlesdefendedbyviolence，buteachmancan，bydiminishinghisownrequirements，belessandlessinneedofarticleswhichprovokeotherpeopletoenvy。
Noteveryoffcialcanrenouncehisgovernmentsalary（thoughtherearemenwhopreferhungertodishonestgovernmentalemployment），buteveryonecanpreferasmallersalarytoalargeroneforthesakeofhavingdutieslessboundupwithviolence；noteveryonecanrefusetomakeuseofgovernmentschools（althoughtherearesomewhodo），buteveryonecangivethepreferencetoprivateschools，andeachcanmakelessandlessuseofarticlesthataretaxed，andofgoverernmentinstitutions。
Betweentheexistingorder，basedonbruteforce，andtheidealofasocietybasedonreasonableagreementconfirniedbycustom，thereareaninfinitenumberofsteps，whichmankindareascending，andtheapproachtotheidealisonlyaccomplishedtotheextenttowhichpeoplefreethemselvesfromparticipationinviolence，fromtakingadvantageofit，andfrombeingaccustomedtoit。
Wedonotknowandcannotsee，stillless，likethepseudo—scientificmen，foretell，inwhatwaythisgradualweakeningofgovernmentsandemancipationofpeoplewillcomeabout；
nordoweknowwhatnewformsman’slifewilltakeasthegradualemancipationprogresses，butwecertainlydoknowthatthelifeofpeoplewho，havingunderstoodthecriminalityandharmfulnessoftheactivityofgovernments，strivenottomakeuseofthem，ortotakepartinthem，willbequitedifferentandmoreinaccordwiththelawoflifeandourownconsciencesthanthepresentlife，inwhichpeoplethemselvesparticipatingingovernmentalviolenceandtakingadvantageofit，makeapretenceofstrugglingagainstit，andtrytodestroytheoldviolencebynewviolence。
Thechiefthingisthatthepresentarrangementoflifeisbad；aboutthatallareagreed。
Thecauseofthebadconditionsandoftheexistingslaveryliesintheviolenceusedbygovernments。Thereisonlyonewaytoabolishgovernmentalviolence：thatpeopleshouldabstainfromparticipatinginviolence。And，therefore，whetheritbedifficultornot，toabstainfromparticipatingingovernmentalviolence，andwhetherthegoodresultsofsuchabstinencewillorwillnotbesoonapparent，aresuperfluousquestions；becausetoliberatepeoplefromslaverythereisonlythatoneway，andnoother!
Towhatextentandwhenvoluntaryagreement，confirmedbycustom，willreplaceviolenceineachsocietyandinthewholeworldwilldependonthestrengthandclearnessofpeople’sconsciousnessandonthenumberofindividualswhomakethisconsciousnesstheirown。Eachofusisaseparateperson，andeachcanbeaparticipatorinthegeneralmovementofhumanitybyhisgreaterorlesserclearnessofrecognitionoftheaimbeforeus，orhecanbeanopponentofprogress。Eachwillhavetomakehischoice：toopposethewillofGod，buildinguponthesandstheunstablehouseofhisbrief，illusivelife，ortojoinintheeternal，deathlessmovementoftruelifeinaccordancewithGod’swill。
ButperhapsIammistaken，andtherightconclusionstodrawfromhumanhistoryarethese，andthehumanraceisnotmovingtowardemancipationfromslavery；perhapsitcanbeprovedthatviolenceisaneedfulfactorofprogress，andthatthestate，withitsviolence，isanecessaryformoflife，andthatitwillbeworseforpeopleifgovernmentsareabolishedandifthedefenceofourpersonsandpropertyisaholished。
Letusgrantittobeso，andsaythatalltheforegoingreasoningiswrong；butbesidesthegeneralconsiderationsaboutthelifeofhumanity，eachmanhasalsotofacethequestionofhisownlife；andnotwithstandinganyconsiderationsaboutthegenerallawsoflife，amancannotdowhatlieadmitstobenotmerelyharmful，butwrong。
\"Verypossiblythereasoningsshowingthestatetobeanecessaryformofthedevelopmentoftheindividual，andgovernmentalviolencetobenecessaryforthegoodofSociety，canallbededucedfromhistory，andareallcorrect，\"
eachhonestandsinceremanofourtimeswillreply；\"butmurderisanevil，thatIknowmorecertainlythananyreasonings；byde—
mandingthatIshouldenterthearmyorpayforhiringandequippingsoldiers，orforbuyingcannonsandbuildingironclads，youwishtomakemeanaccompliceinnnirder，andthatIcannotandwillnotbe。NeitherdoIwish，norcanI，makeuseofmoneyyouhavecollectedfromhungrypeoplewiththreatsofmurder；nordoIwishtomakeuseoflandorcapitaldefendedbyyou，becauseIknowthatyourdefencerestsonmurder。
\"IcoulddothesethingswhenIdidnotunderstandalltheircriminality，butwhenI
haveonceseenit，Icannotavoidseeingit，andcannolongertakepartinthesethings。
\"Iknowthatweareallsoboundupbyviolencethatitisdifficulttoavoiditaltogether，butIwill，neverthless，doallIcannottotakepartinit；Iwillnotbeanaccomplicetoit，andwilltrynottomakeuseofwhatisobtainedanddefendedbymurder。
\"Ihavebutonelife，andwhyshouldI，inthisbrieflifeofmine，actcontrarytothevoiceofconscienceandbecomeapartnerinyourabominabledeeds？
\"Icannot，andIwillnot。
\"Andwhatwillcomeofthis？Idonotknow。OnlyIthinknoharmcanresultfromactingasmyconsciencedemands。\"
Soinourtimeshouldeachhonestandsinceremanreplytoalltheargumentsaboutthenecessityofgovernmentsandofviolence，andtoeverydemandorinvitationtotakepartinthem。
Sothatthesupremeandunimpeachablejudge—thevoiceofconscience—confirmstoeachmantheconclusiontowhichalsogeneralreasoningshouldbringus。TheSlaveryofOurTimes——Afterword——LeoTolstoyFromTheSlaveryofOurTimesbyLeoTolstoyANAFTERWORD
Butthisisagainthesameoldsermon：ontheonehand，urgingthedestructionofthepresentorderofthingswithoutputtinganythinginitsplace；ontheotherhand，exhortingtonon—action，iswhatmanywillsayonreadingwhatIhavewritten。\"Governmentalactionisbad，soistheactionofthelandownerandofthemanofbusiness；equallybadistheactivityoftheSocialistandoftherevolutionaryAnarchists—thatistosay，allreal，practicalactivitiesarebad，andonlysomesortofmoral，spiritual，indefiniteactivitywhichbringseverythingtoutterchaosandinactionisgood。\"ThusIknowmanyseriousandsincerepeoplewillthinkandspeak!
Whatseemstopeoplemostdisturbingintheideaofnoviolenceisthatpropertywillnotbeprotected，andthateachmanwill，therefore，beabletotakefromanotherwhatheneedsormerelylikes，andtogounpunished。Topeopleaccustomedtothedefenceofpropertyandpersonbyviolenceitseemsthatwithoutsuchdefencetherewillbeperpetualdisorder，aconstantstruggleofeveryoneagainsteveryoneelse。
IwillnotrepeatwhatIhavesaidelsewheretoshowthatthedefenceofpropertybyviolencedoesnotlessen，butincreases，thisdisorder。Butallowingthatintheabsenceofdefencedisordermayoccur，whatarepeopletodowhohaveunderstoodthecauseofthecalamitiesfromwhichtheyaresuffering？
Ifwehaveunderstoodthatweareillfromdrunkenness，wemustcontinuetodrink，hopingtomendmattersbydrinkingmoderately，orcontinuedrinkingandtakemedicinesthatshortsighteddoctorsgiveus。
Anditisthesamewithoursocialsickness。Ifwehaveunderstoodthatweareillbecausesomepeopleuseviolencetoothers，itisimpossibletoimprovethepositionofsocietyeitherbycontinuingtosupportthegovernmentalviolencethatexists，orbyintroducingafreshkindofrevolutionaryorsocialistviolence。Thatmighthavebeendoneaslongasthefundamentalcauseofpeople’smiserywasnotclearlyseen。Butassoonasithasbecomeindubitablyclearthatpeoplesufferfromtheviolencedonebysometoothers，itisalreadyimpossibletoimprovethepositionbycontinuingtheoldviolenceorbyintroducinganewkind。Thesickmansufferingfromalcoholismhasbutonewaytobecured：byrefrainingfromintoxicantswhicharethecauseofhisillness；sothereisonlyonewaytofreemenfromtheevilarrangementofsociety—thatis，torefrainfromviolence—thecauseofthesuffering—frompersonalviolence，frompreachingviolence，andfrominanywayjustifyingviolence。
Andnotonlyisthisthesolemeanstodeliverpeoplefromtheirills，butwemustalsoadoptitbecauseitcoincideswiththemoralconsciousnessofeachindividualmanofourtimes。Ifamanofourdayhasonceunderstoodthateverydefenceofpropertyorpersonbyviolenceisobtainedonlybythreateningtomurderorbymurdering，hecannolongerwithaquietconsciencemakeuseofthatwhichisobtainedbymurderorbythreatsofmurder，andstilllesscanhetakepartinthemurdersorinthreateningtomurder。Sothatwhatiswantedtofreepeoplefromtheirmiseryisalsoneededforthesatisfactionofthemoralconsciousnessofeveryindividual。And，therefore，foreachindividualtherecanbenodoubtthatbothforthegeneralgoodandtofulfilthelawofhislifehemusttakenopartinviolence，norjustifyit，normakeuseofit。