At one point, during a heated misunderstanding between one of the Belarusians and Index’s legal team, Stoppard calmed everyone down: “Self-justification on either side would merely extend the moment, and is essentially irrelevant. What is required instead is a contest of generosity. From this point on, ladies and gentlemen: empathy, patience, kindness, action, communication—followed by more of the same.” It could sum up his own life’s policy.
