"Historical circumstances have developed in us purely passive virtues, such as long-suffering, tolerance for hardships and all kinds of hardships. Sentimentally, these qualities are very good, and there is no doubt that they are very convenient for people who use them to their advantage; but passive virtues are no good for activity," wrote N.G. Chernyshevsky. One of the brightest publicists in the history of Russia, the author of the famous novel "What to do?" Chernyshevsky reflected a lot on the "habits and circumstances" of Russian life, on the main features of the Russian nation. In order to eliminate its "moral pathologies," it is necessary to change the living conditions themselves, he said, bearing in mind both economic and political factors. About this his articles, which are given in this book.