L E T T E R S

31with someone whom God, your conscience, and your own interests counselyou to avoid. In my note from Płock I added the request that you name yourson (or daughter) -to-be Charles or Caroline. You made no mention of havingreceived this letter. You can scarcely believe how much each of your lettersinterests me! As to the name, I now renew my request. We will save Bogdanof Alexandra for a second child after my return. Agreed?My dear little wife, I also want to remind you to take care of thecollection of writings I left behind. See that they are not moved about fromplace to place, lest they be lost. For, although there are many dull pieces there,the collection includes others which I feel have a definite worth. About yourtrip to Warsaw when you are ready to deliver the child, pardon me if onceagain, as before, I offer certain cautions. I do this only because I am so veryconcerned. I know that you are weak and kind-hearted. I also know how eviland deceitful people can be. Moreover, your nature is such that you hesitate toexpose yourself to ridicule. This can be dangerous, for no one can live at peacewith all people. It is impossible to be worthy and unworthy at the same time.Your fear of exposing yourself to ridicule can have serious consequences.Thus, if someone were to approach you and begin to speak to you thinking thatyou are the same misguided person you once were, you might have thecourage to tell him boldly that he is mistaken, that experience has taught you tobehave differently, that honor and conscience do not permit you even to meetwith him. And yet, this is the only way. Only by such dignified boldness andstrength of character can your regain your own self-respect and the respect ofothers. Finally, because you are too unsophisticated, simple, happy and open,you can sometimes permit weakness to gain the upper hand over prudence andhonor, especially when the people involved are very clever at explanations andpersuasion. Then the worst possible things could happen: one meeting... oneconversation. Inevitably the whole cycle would begin again: failure,degradation, betrayal of friends, and in the end you are more unhappy thanever before. You must arm yourself with honor, courage and boldness. You