Russian Faith By Mark Hackard
Fyodor Tyutchev (1803-1873) was not only one of 19th-Century Russia’s greatest poets, he also was a professional diplomat with penetrating geopolitical vision. The following notes would have formed the basic structure for the sixth chapter of his unfinished 1849 treatise Russia and the West. Translated by Mark Hackard.
Westerners issuing judgments about Russia somewhat resemble Chinese viewing Europe, or sooner Greeks (Greculi) judging Rome. This is apparently a law of history: one or the other society or civilization never understands those who should replace them.
And the Western colony of educated Russians who speak with their own reflected voice leads them into ever greater delusions. The mockery of an echo.
It is the West that presently sees in Russia only material fact, material power.
Russia for the West is an effect without a cause. That is, being idealists, they cannot see the idea.
Scholars and philosophers in their historical opinions have crossed out an entire half of the European world.
