Now this occurs in two places--either among inexperienced
young men of strong, noble natures, instinctively conscious of their
own vitality, and intoxicated by their own strength, who feel so
overcome by the phenomenon that they undervalue it, and believe that
they are able singly to fight against it. Or there are the weak
natures, who think that they are capable of changing the phenomenon
to suit themselves. As they are not in a position to strive against
it they retire sullenly defeated. The story of the fox and the
grapes would just express their case, and also an excess of the
consciousness of their 'ego.' Those are, I think, the resources from
which spring contempt of the world: neither of these cases coincide
with yours; you are not young and inexperienced enough for the one,
and you are too useful for the other. You are healthy and sound, of
average powers and energy, uncommonly well made in body and mind; of
the poetical age, comfortably off, and I should like to know how you
have come to despise the world?"
"I hardly know. The first impulse came perhaps in Russia in early
childhood, where I got into the habit of regarding people around me
as barbarous--neither useful nor valuable."
Schrotter shook his head.
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