On freedom and a clean conscience (by N.Steinhardt)

“It's useless to hope for a better world,

unless - first,

or at the same time,

we focus

on our inner improvement,

on our soul, our character and on our acts.

With liars,

dodgers,

with two-faced people

and men of no honour,

there can be neither a viable social development,

nor progress;

rotten wood or damaged bricks

compromise a solid house.

A clean conscience

and

inner freedom are essential.

Only they

can guarantee

any renewal, innovation

any accomplishment,

in art, as well as in our everyday life.

Let's not deceive ourselves, thinking that we can

ignore an individual's mental and moral level.

Freedom

and

a clean conscience

- are the foundation of any previous act

for the real improvement of society.”

[N. Steinhardt]