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nydus/Short FictionPublic

A collection of all of the short stories and novellas written by Leo Tolstoy.

Page 60 of 2244
Table of Contents

II

In Russia there are three predominant types of soldier, under which the men of all our forces⁠—whether line, guards, infantry, cavalry, artillery, army of the Caucasus, or whatnot⁠—may be classified.

These principal types, including many subdivisions and combinations, are:

  • The submissive;
  • The domineering;
  • The reckless.

The submissive are divided into, ( a ) the calmly submissive, and ( b ) the bustlingly submissive.

The domineering are divided into, ( a ) the sternly domineering, and ( b ) the diplomatically domineering.

The reckless are divided into, ( a ) the amusingly reckless, and ( b ) the viciously reckless.

The type most often met with⁠—a type more lovable and attractive than the others, and generally accompanied by the best Christian virtues⁠—meekness, piety, patience, and devotion to the will of God⁠—is the submissive type in general. The distinctive feature of the calmly submissive is his invincible resignation to and contempt for all the reverses of fate which may befall him; the distinctive features of the submissive drunkard are a mild, poetic disposition and sensibility; the distinctive feature of the bustlingly submissive is limited mental capacity, combined with purposeless industry and zeal.

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