Srinagar, June 7 -- 'So. you were convinced of all this and decided not to do anything yourselves?'

'And decided not to do anything serious,' Bazarov repeated grimly.

'But to confine yourselves to abuse?'

'And that's called nihilism?'

'And that is called nihilism,' Bazarov repeated again, this time with marked insolence. (Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev)

'So, what did you do in Australia?'

'Read.'

'Read what?'

'Everything I could.'

'What did it give you? Where's the degree and the permanent residency?'

'Knowledge. They did not give me one. No. The whole world is my ken.'

'What will mere knowledge give you?'

'A worldview and self-awareness.'

'Let's get you married.'

'No. I am still discovering myself.'

'You insist on all t...