It is true that Karenin was dimly aware of the shallowness and error of this idea about his faith. He knew that when, without thinking that his forgiveness was the act of a Higher Power, he gave himself up spontaneously to this feeling, he had experienced more happiness than when, as now, he was every moment thinking that Christ dwelt in his soul and that by signing official papers he was carrying out His will. But it was necessary for Karenin to think like that; it was so necessary for him in his humiliation to possess at least this imaginary height from which he, despised of all, could despise others, that he clung to his sham salvation, as though it were true salvation.
Leo Tolstoy, "Anna Karenina", Book 5, Chapter 22
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