- G.I. Gurdjieff: My father says one thing: if you want to lose your faith, make friends with a priest.
- Prince Lubovedsky: I have seen many miracles and tried to explain them, but it has brought me no understanding.
- Young Gurdjieff: When we die, Father, is nothing left?
- Gurdjieff's Father: [after a thoughtful pause] How should I put it? Some people say they have a soul that goes on living when we are dead, but I don't believe this... and yet I am certain beyond all doubt that through certain experiences, we can develop a very fine substance within ourselves. When we die, this substance does not die at the same time... much later.