"To desire and expect nothing for oneself and to have profound sympathy for others is genuine holiness"

This quote by Ivan Turgenev speaks with the idea of real holiness. To be holy is to be pure and virtuous, and Turgenev suggests that this is achieved by having no expectations for oneself and having deep compassion for others. He is recommending that real holiness is not accomplished through spiritual practices or rituals, but rather through selflessness and empathy. By having no expectations for oneself, one has the ability to concentrate on the needs of others and be of service to them. This is a powerful message that encourages us to be simple and to put the needs of others prior to our own. It is a reminder that true holiness is found in the act of providing and not in the act of getting.