If out of ten thousand petitions only one is granted, all would come with petitions.

In every parish, every peasant will know that there is somewhere a hollow tree where petitions are to be put.

And the whole land will resound with the cry, 'A new just law is to come,' and the sea will be troubled and the whole gimcrack show will fall to the ground, and then we shall consider how to build up an edifice of stone.
For the first time! We are going to build it, we, and only we!" * The reference is to the legend current in the sect of Flagellants .-- Translator's note.
"Madness," said Stavrogin.
"Why, why don't you want it?
Are you afraid?
That's why I caught at you, because you are afraid of nothing.

Is it unreasonable?
But you see, so far I am Columbus without America.

Would Columbus without America seem reasonable ?" Stavrogin did not speak.