Dmitry Sergeyevich Likhachov

Dmitry Sergeyevich Likhachov was the chairman of the board at the Russian Cultural Foundation, philologist, culturologist, art historian, Doctor of Philology, professor. This letter is addressed not to someone special, but to all the readers. First of all, to those youngsters, who are yet to find their own paths and follow them and learn how to live.

So this is the last letter. There could be more of them, but it’s time to take stock. I don’t want to stop writing. The reader must have noticed that the subject lines were getting more and more complicated. My readers and I were climbing stairs together, side by side. This couldn’t be but so, for why should anyone be writing if they remain unchanged and grow either morally nor aesthetically? Life claims increasing sophistication. The reader may have assumed the author as an arrogant and patronizing person. That’s not quite right. I taught as well as was taught. I was able to teach, because I got new experiences, while trying to summarize all the information. When writing, I found many new ideas coming to my mind. I wasn’t just describing my experience, I was comprehending it. My letters are patronizing. But mentoring others, I was mentored myself.  My readers and I were climbing those stairs of not only my experience, but the experience of many people. Readers helped me to write the letters by talking to me silently. What is essential in life? Main things may differ, be personal and unique. However, everyone must have it. Life shouldn’t shatter into unvaluable pieces, wallow in everyday routine. Moreover, it’s important that no matter what is one’s key value and how personal it is, it must be kind and significant. Any human being should be able to rise above their day-to-day concerns and think about the purpose of life, take the past into consideration and look ahead. If you devote your life only to yourself and your needs, then your life would pass unnoticed. If you live for others, then they will keep what you served to, what you used to invest your skills and talents and time to. Wonder, if the reader have noticed that all the bad and petty things are soon to be forgotten. People may still feel a twinge of anxiety because of someone’s mean action, but the person is already forgotten, the memory has faded away. People who do not take care of other people fall out of life. They are easily forgotten. At the same time, those who served the others, who had a gentle and significant aim, become indispensable, their words, actions, appearance, jokes and maybe awkwardness are remembered for long. They are told tales about. Evil people are less likely to be told about, even so, it’s done in malice. Life must be dedicated to some cause. Let this cause be little, it will grow substantial if you are a loyal servant. The most precious thing in life is kindness. Smart and focused kindness. Smart kindness is the most valuable quality in people, which endears to them and guarantees their personal happiness. Only those who strive to make others happy and are able to forget about personal interests can reach the true happiness in life. This is an unchangeable coin. It is crucial to remember about it and follow the paths of kindness. Trust me!