Quote by Leo Tolstoy

Formerly...when he tried to do anything for the good of everybody, for humanity...for the whole village, he had noticed that the thoughts of it were agreeable, but the activity itself was always unsatisfactory; there was no full assurance that the work was really necessary, and the activity itself, which at first seemed so great, ever lessened and lessened till it vanished. But now...when he began to confine himself more and more to living for himself, though he no longer felt any joy at the thought of his activity, he felt confident that his work was necessary, saw that it progressed far better than formerly, and that it was always growing more and more.

Summary

This quote reflects a personal realization about the impact of individual versus collective actions. The speaker recounts their experience of trying to contribute to the greater good, but consistently feeling unsatisfied and unsure about the necessity of their efforts. However, upon shifting their focus to personal growth and fulfillment, they find a newfound confidence in the importance and progress of their work. The quote suggests that by prioritizing self-actualization and authenticity, one is able to make a greater impact and experience personal growth in the process.