V. I. Lenin

Source: ru:PSS/v47; en:CW/CW34;es:MT
Translated: machine translation (DeepSeek) from the Russian; AI-translated.

April 16, 1908

Dear Al. M.,

I received your letter today and am replying in haste. It would be useless and harmful for me to come: I cannot and will not talk with people who have set out to preach the union of scientific socialism with religion. The time for notebooks is past. It is useless to argue, and it is foolish to waste one’s nerves. Philosophy must be separated from Party (faction) affairs—this is also demanded by the decision of the B.C.

I have already sent to press the most formal declaration of war. 159 There is no room for diplomacy here—of course, I do not mean diplomacy in the bad sense, but in the good.

“Good” diplomacy on your part, dear A. M. (if you too have not come to believe in God), should consist in separating our common affairs (i.e., including me) from philosophy.

A talk about other matters besides philosophy would not come off now; it would be unnatural.

However, if these other matters, not philosophical but concerning, say, Proletary, really require a talk precisely now and precisely with you, I could come (I do not know whether I shall find the money; I am having difficulties just now), but I repeat: only on condition that I do not talk about philosophy and religion.

But I certainly intend to come and see you when I am free, after finishing my work, for a talk.

I shake your hand firmly.

Yours, Lenin

A big greeting to M. F.; she, I hope, is not for God, eh?

To Capri (Italy)