Laurus

by Eugene Vodolazkin

I have often regretted the things I have said, but I have never regretted my silence.

Angels do not tire, said the Angel, because they do not scrimp on their strength. If you are not thinking about the finiteness of your strength, you will not tire, either. Know, O Arseny, that only he who does not fear drowning is capable of walking on water.

Russians are not as gloomy as you seemed to think, after all, Arseny told Ambrogio. Sometimes they are in a good mood. After a horde leaves, for example.

A city of saints, whispered Ambrogio, following the play of the shadow. They present us the illusion of life.

Everything on earth exists outside of time, otherwise how could I know about the future that has not occurred? I think time is given to us by the grace of God so we will not get mixed up, because a person’s consciousness cannot take in all events at once. We are locked up in time because of our weakness.

I heard you were talking about death, said the merchant. You Russians really love talking about death. And it distracts you from getting on with your lives.

Life continued on, in all manner of variety. It moved along chaotically, as should a life composed of millions of particles.