He liked and did not like the peasants, just as he liked and did not like men in general.

Of course, being a good-hearted man, he liked men rather than he disliked them, and so too with the peasants.

But like or dislike "the people" as something apart he could not, not only because he lived with "the people," and all his interests were bound up with theirs, but also because he regarded himself as a part of "the people," did not see any special qualities or failings distinguishing himself and "the people," and could not contrast himself with them.