We'll set things in a ferment.... Surely you don't think that we two are not enough?"
"Take Shigalov, and let me alone...."
"Shigalov is a man of genius!
Do you know he is a genius like Fourier, but bolder than Fourier; stronger. I'll look after him.
He's discovered 'equality '!"
"He is in a fever; he is raving; something very queer has happened to him," thought Stavrogin, looking at him once more.
Both walked on without stopping.
"He's written a good thing in that manuscript," Verhovensky went on. "He suggests a system of spying.
Every member of the society spies on the others, and it's his duty to inform against them.
Every one belongs to all and all to every one.
All are slaves and equal in their slavery.
In extreme cases he advocates slander and murder, but the great thing about it is equality.
To begin with, the level of education, science, and talents is lowered.
A high level of education and science is only possible for great intellects, and they are not wanted.
The great intellects have always seized the power and been despots.
Great intellects cannot help being despots and they've always done more harm than good. They will be banished or put to death.
Cicero will have his tongue cut out, Copernicus will have his eyes put out, Shakespeare will be stoned—that's Shigalovism.
Slaves are bound to be equal. There has never been either freedom or equality without despotism, but in the herd there is bound to be equality, and that's Shigalovism!
Ha ha ha! Do you think it strange?
I am for Shigalovism."
Stavrogin tried to quicken his pace, and to reach home as soon as possible.
"If this fellow is drunk, where did he manage to get drunk?" crossed his mind.
"Can it be the brandy?"
"Listen, Stavrogin. To level the mountains is a fine idea, not an absurd one.
I am for Shigalov.
Down with culture. We've had enough science!
Without science we have material enough to go on for a thousand years, but one must have discipline.
The one thing wanting in the world is discipline.
The thirst for culture is an aristocratic thirst.
The moment you have family ties or love you get the desire for property.
We will destroy that desire; we'll make use of drunkenness, slander, spying; we'll make use of incredible corruption; we'll stifle every genius in its infancy.
We'll reduce all to a common denominator! Complete equality!
'We've learned a trade, and we are honest men; we need nothing more,' that was an answer given by English working-men recently.
Only the necessary is necessary, that's the motto of the whole world henceforward.
But it needs a shock. That's for us, the directors, to look after.
Slaves must have directors.
Absolute submission, absolute loss of individuality, but once in thirty years Shigalov would let them have a shock and they would all suddenly begin eating one another up, to a certain point, simply as a precaution against boredom.
Boredom is an aristocratic sensation. The Shigalovians will have no desires.
Desire and suffering are our lot, but Shigalovism is for the slaves."
"You exclude yourself?" Stavrogin broke in again.
"You, too.
Do you know, I have thought of giving up the world to the Pope.
Let him come forth, on foot, and barefoot, and show himself to the rabble, saying,
'See what they have brought me to!' and they will all rush after him, even the troops.
The Pope at the head, with us round him, and below us—Shigalovism.
All that's needed is that the Internationale should come to an agreement with the Pope; so it will.
And the old chap will agree at once.
There's nothing else he can do. Remember my words! Ha ha! Is it stupid?
Tell me, is it stupid or not?"
"That's enough!" Stavrogin muttered with vexation.