XL. THE NOTEBOOK

§1 On the State

At one time I wondered how it was possible to love a mass of people when one has never loved a single person oneself. This question is fundamental to a classless society, for, in order for it not to disintegrate into groups of leaders and subalterns, it must recognize the masses at its very heart. The answer is simple: for such a person, it is impossible. The unconditional love of a single person always precedes social love. Here, however, we encounter the essential problem, which shall be examined in more depth later. For what exactly is this love? An aberration threatened by loss. It seems to me that there is no way to maintain a State based upon this kind of love. And yet, any other kind of State would be impossible to bear.

 

‘Gramsci’s ashes have been placed inside a zinc container within a wooden box and have been buried where they can remain for up to ten years without payment,’ Tania informs Piero Sraffa in a letter dated 12 May 1937. Two months later, she tells him that, by now, she has rid herself of all the notebooks. ‘All of them,’ she writes. ‘As for me, at present, without any further instructions from you, I can only stay silent. Please see to what needs to be done, I do not recommend any thing in particular, and must admit that I do not feel up to taking such a responsibility. Please write. Cordially, T.’