Book 2 Chapter 25 Lydia Shoustovas Home

Nekhludoff awoke next morning feeling as if he had been guilty of
some iniquity the day before. He began considering. He could not
remember having done anything wrong; he had committed no evil
act, but he had had evil thoughts. He had thought that all his
present resolutions to marry Katusha and to give up his land were
unachievable dreams; that he should be unable to bear it; that it
was artificial, unnatural; and that he would have to go on living
as he lived.

He had committed no evil action, but, what was far worse than an
evil action, he had entertained evil thoughts whence all evil
actions proceed. An evil action may not be repeated, and can be
repented of; but evil thoughts generate all evil actions.

An evil action only smooths the path for other evil acts; evil
thoughts uncontrollably drag one along that path.

When Nekhludoff repeated in his mind the thoughts of the day
before, he was surprised that he could for a moment have believed
these thoughts. However new and difficult that which he had
decided to do might be, he knew that it was the only possible way
of life for him now, and however easy and natural it might have
been to return to his former state, he knew that state to be
death.

Yesterday's temptation seemed like the feeling when one awakes
from deep sleep, and, without feeling sleepy, wants to lie
comfortably in bed a little longer, yet knows that it is time to
rise and commence the glad and important work that awaits one.