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Vronsky's life was particularly happy in that he had a code of

principles, which defined with unfailing certitude what he ought

and what he ought not to do. This code of principles covered only

a very small circle of contingencies, but then the principles

were never doubtful, and Vronsky, as he never went outside that

circle, had never had a moment's hesitation about doing what he

ought to do. These principles laid down as invariable rules: that

one must pay a cardsharper, but need not pay a tailor; that one

must never tell a lie to a man, but one may to a woman; that one

must never cheat anyone, but one may a husband; that one must

never pardon an insult, but one may give one and so on. These

principles were possibly not reasonable and not good, but they

were of unfailing certainty, and so long as he adhered to them,

Vronsky felt that his heart was at peace and he could hold his

head up.