To desire and expect nothing for oneself and to have profound

To desire and expect nothing for oneself and to have profound sympathy for others is genuine holiness. These words of Ivan Turgenev speak not only of a life lived with selflessness but of a deep spiritual truth that has echoed through the ages. Holiness, as Turgenev suggests, is not a matter of piety or ritual; it is not found in lofty temples or sacred texts alone. True holiness resides in the purity of one’s heart, in the ability to transcend self-interest and to place the well-being of others above our own desires. In this way, holiness is not a gift bestowed upon the few, but a path open to all who choose to live with deep empathy and compassion.

In the ancient world, the great sages understood this principle. Confucius, in his teachings, spoke of ren, or benevolence, as the foundation of a righteous life. To live virtuously, one must act in service to others, transcending one’s own desires for the collective good. Similarly, Buddha taught that desire is the root of suffering, and true peace could only be found by letting go of selfish attachments. In these teachings, we find a powerful resonance with Turgenev’s words. True holiness is not marked by what one possesses or accumulates but by the absence of desire for the self and the deep well of compassion for others.

This is not an easy path to walk. To desire nothing for oneself is to sacrifice the natural instincts that guide much of human behavior. It is to place ego aside, to overcome the pull of self-centeredness, and to embrace a way of being that values the needs of others above our own. This requires a great strength of character, a commitment to act with integrity even when it seems as though the world would reward selfishness. Yet, this is the path that the truly great among us walk—those who leave an enduring legacy not because of what they accumulated but because of the love, sacrifice, and compassion they offered to others.

One of the most striking historical examples of this kind of selflessness is the story of Mother Teresa, who devoted her life to the care of the poor and sick in Calcutta. In her, we see the embodiment of Turgenev’s ideal. She expected nothing for herself; in fact, she often lived in extreme poverty, seeking nothing more than to serve those in dire need. She had profound sympathy for the suffering of others, and through her actions, she transformed the lives of thousands. Her holiness was not in the accolades she received but in the silent compassion she gave away. Mother Teresa’s life is a living testament to the power of selfless love and empathy.

The lesson here is clear: genuine holiness is not a matter of lofty ideals or grand gestures, but of quiet, consistent acts of kindness and empathy. It is found in the small, everyday moments where we choose to serve others rather than pursue our own desires. When we choose to listen deeply to the suffering of others, when we act to alleviate their pain without thought of reward, we step onto the path of true holiness. It is not the visible signs of wealth or fame that mark a person’s greatness, but the hidden goodness that lives within their heart, the love that extends without expectation.

Let us take this wisdom into our lives and walk the path of humility and service. When we find ourselves tempted to prioritize our own needs, let us instead turn our attention to the needs of others. Sympathy, the deep understanding of another’s pain, should not be an abstract concept but a call to action. If we desire to live lives of genuine meaning and purpose, we must learn to expect nothing for ourselves, and in doing so, we will find that the joy we seek is not found in possessions or achievements, but in the love and service we offer to others.

In the end, Turgenev’s wisdom reveals a profound truth: holiness is not an abstraction but a way of living in deep communion with the world around us. It is not found in the pursuit of glory or riches but in the quiet grace with which we choose to serve others and to love without expecting anything in return. So, let us remember that to live with genuine holiness is to live with an open heart, ready to give and serve without regard for what we might gain in return. This is the truest form of spiritual greatness, and it is available to all who choose to walk in its light.