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Epigraph
How to Perfect This World?
(Translated and shortened from A. & B. Strugatsky “Hard to Be a God” )
“Scientist” “Godpower”
o Begin with abundance—bread, The strong will take from the
wine, and shelter for all, and the weak what was given, and the
world will grow gentle. weak will still be beggars
Cruelty is strength. Strip it
o Then shield the weak and
away, and others just as cruel
give wisdom to the cruel.
will rise
Punish one, and the strongest of
o Then strike the cruel so the
the weak will become cruel in
strong learn mercy.
his place
Then they will forget labor, lose
o Then give all that is needed
their will, and I will keep them
and forbid the taking.
as helpless creatures
o Then grant slowly, let them They will take what they desire
learn by steps. long before they learn
o Then awaken in them a love To change their hearts so deeply
for work and knowledge is to erase who they are and
above all things. make another race
o Then reshape us into
I cannot erase you. My heart is
something better—or leave us
full of pity, and I will let you go
to our own road.
13 | P a g e
