Quote by Leo Tolstoy

Wait, wait,' he began, interrupting Oblonsky. 'Aristocratism, you say. But allow me to ask, what makes up this aristocratism of Vronsky or whoever else it may be - such aristocratism that I can be scorned? You consider Vronsky an aristocrat, but I don't. A man whose father crept out of nothing by wiliness, whose mother, God knows who she didn't have liaisons with... No, excuse me, but I consider myself an aristocrat and people like myself, who can point to three or four honest generations in their families' past, who had a high degree of education (talent and intelligence are another thing), and who never lowered themselves before anyone, never depended on anyone, as my father lived, and my grandfather. And I know many like that. You find it mean that I count the trees in the forest, while you give away thirty thousand to Ryabinin; but you'll have rent coming in and I don't know what else, while I won't, and so I value what I've inherited and worked for... We're the aristocrats, and not someone who can only exist on hand-outs from the mighty of this world and can be bought for twenty kopecks. 'But who are you attacking? I agree with you,' said Stepan Arkadyich sincerely and cheerfully, though he felt Levin included him among those who could be bought for twenty kopecks.

Summary

In this quote from Leo Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina," Levin passionately argues against the notion of aristocratism and defends his own definition of what it means to be an aristocrat. He rejects the idea that social status or wealth automatically qualifies someone as an aristocrat, instead emphasizing the importance of heritage, education, integrity, and self-sufficiency. Levin's frustration stems from being categorized as a person who can be easily influenced or bought, whereas he believes true aristocracy lies in one's ability to stand on their own merits and principles. Stepan Arkadyich, who agrees with Levin, unintentionally reveals his fear of being regarded as easily swayed.