"Our national life," wrote Prus, "will take a normal course only when we have become a useful, indispensable element of civilization, when we have become able to give nothing for free and to demand nothing for free."
"Viata noastra", a scris Prus, "va intra pe un fagas normal doar atunci cand vom deveni o parte necesara si indispensabila a civilizatiei, vom fi capabili sa nu mai dam nimic pe gratis si sa nu mai cerem nimic pe gratis".