Fables and Aphorisms

Gregory S. Skovoroda was searching and propagating his ideas about the Kingdom of God, the Celestial Jerusalem, where 'there is no distinction between old and young, between sexes, and everything is in common in that republic.' In his Fables he taught that the root of evil in society lies in the misapplication of innate talents. People pay too much attention to consumption-satisfaction andignore production-satisfaction, 'which is a vital need and ultimate enjoyment.' Man should find his in-born ability by self-examination and through the curricula of general education. The teachings of this 18th century man were greatly appreciated by such great writers as Tolstoy, Gorky, Shevchenko, I. Franko, V. Lenin and the Soviet government recognized Skovoroda among such 'great revolutionary leaders' as Spartacus, Fourier, Lomonosov, Radishchev, Pushkin, Chernyshevsky, Shevchenko and others.