Leo Tolstoy Quotes

A collection of quotes by Leo Tolstoy.

Leo Tolstoy was a renowned Russian writer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest authors in literary history. Born on September 9, 1828, in Yasnaya Polyana, Russia, he came from an aristocratic family. After experiencing a turbulent early adulthood marked by gambling and debauchery, Tolstoy underwent a spiritual and philosophical transformation.

His transformation led him to embrace realism and develop a unique writing style. Tolstoy's notable works include the epic novels "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina." "War and Peace" explores the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Russia on various characters and families, while "Anna Karenina" delves into the complexities of love, relationships, and social norms in 19th-century Russia.

Tolstoy's writing tackled profound themes such as love, death, faith, and morality. His works often portrayed the struggles of individuals against society's constraints, highlighting the clash between personal desires and societal expectations. Tolstoy's exploration of the human condition made his novels highly influential and beloved by readers worldwide.

In addition to his literary pursuits, Tolstoy was an outspoken critic of social injustice and inequality. He advocated for nonviolent resistance and rejected materialism and wealth. Tolstoy's quest for a simpler, more meaningful life led him to embrace pacifism, vegetarianism, and a humble existence.

Leo Tolstoy passed away on November 20, 1910, leaving behind a rich literary legacy that continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.

An arrogant person considers himself perfect. This is the ch

An arrogant person considers himself perfect. This is the chief harm of arrogance. It interferes with a person's main task in life - becoming a better person.

He stepped down trying not to look long at her, as though sh

He stepped down trying not to look long at her, as though she were the sun, yet he saw her as one sees the sun, without looking.

Everybody thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of

Everybody thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves.

Everything that I understand, I understand only because I lo

Everything that I understand, I understand only because I love.

Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understan

Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love. Everything is, everything exists, only because I love. Everything is united by it alone. Love is God, and to die means that I, a particle of love, shall return to the general and eternal source.

I sit on a man's back, choking him and making him carry me,

I sit on a man's back, choking him and making him carry me, and yet assure myself and others that I am very sorry for him and wish to ease his lot by all possible means except by getting off his back.

I sit on a man's back, choking him and making him carry me,

I sit on a man's back, choking him and making him carry me, and yet assure myself and others that I am very sorry for him and wish to ease his lot by all possible means - except by getting off his back.

If a man aspires to a righteous life, his first act of absti

If a man aspires to a righteous life, his first act of abstinence if from injury to animals.

There is no greatness where simplicity, goodness and truth a

There is no greatness where simplicity, goodness and truth are absent.

He never chooses an opinion, he just wears whatever happens

He never chooses an opinion, he just wears whatever happens to be in style.

The changes in our life must come from the impossibility to

The changes in our life must come from the impossibility to live otherwise than according to the demands of our conscience not from our mental resolution to try a new form of life.

What is reason given me for, if I am not to use it to avoid

What is reason given me for, if I am not to use it to avoid bringing unhappy beings into the world!

Insightful Birth Prevention

The very nastiest and coarsest, I can't tell you. It is not

The very nastiest and coarsest, I can't tell you. It is not grief, not dullness, but much worse. It is as if all that was good in me had hidden itself, and only what is horrid remains.

Despair Grief

If there was a reason why he preferred the liberal tendency

If there was a reason why he preferred the liberal tendency to the conservative one (also held to by many of his circle), it was not because he found the liberal tendency more sensible, but it more closely suited his manner of life.

Morality Liberal Motivation

The error arises from the learned jurists deceiving themselv

The error arises from the learned jurists deceiving themselves and others, by asserting that government is not what it really is, one set of men banded together to oppress another set of men, but, as shown by science, is the representation of the citizens in their collective capacity.

Men Science Government

To know God and to live is one and the same thing. God is li

To know God and to live is one and the same thing. God is life.

Religion

Whatever question arose, a swarm of these drones, without ha

Whatever question arose, a swarm of these drones, without having finished their buzzing on a previous theme, flew over to the new one and by their hum drowned and obscured the voices of those who were disputing honestly.

Dissent Conformity

After dinner Natasha went to the clavichord, at Prince Andre

After dinner Natasha went to the clavichord, at Prince Andrey's request, and began singing. Prince Andrey stood at the window, talking to the ladies, and listened to her. In the middle of a phrase, Prince Andrey ceased speaking, and felt suddenly a lump in his throat from tears, the possibility of which he had never dreamed of in himself. He looked at Natasha singing, and something new and blissful stirred in his soul. He was happy, and at the same time he was sad. He certainly had nothing to weep about, but he was ready to weep. For what? For his past love? For the little princess? For his lost illusions? For his hopes for the future? Yes, and no. The chief thing which made him ready to weep was a sudden, vivid sense of the fearful contrast between something infinitely great and illimitable existing in him, and something limited and material, which he himself was, and even she was. This contrast made his heart ache, and rejoiced him while she was singing.

Music

Just as one candle lights another and can light thousands of

Just as one candle lights another and can light thousands of other candles, so one heart illuminates another heart and can illuminate thousands of other hearts.

Light Candles

I know that my unity with all people cannot be destroyed by

I know that my unity with all people cannot be destroyed by national boundaries and government orders.

Government People Order Unity