Quote by Leo Tolstoy
Where did I get it from? Was it by reason that I attained to the knowledge that I must love my neighbour and not throttle him? They told me so when I was a child, and I gladly believed it, because they told me what was already in my soul. But who discovered it? Not reason! Reason has discovered the struggle for existence and the law that I must throttle all those who hinder the satisfaction of my desires. That is the deduction reason makes. But the law of loving others could not be discovered by reason, because it is unreasonable.
Summary
This quote highlights the distinction between reason and innate morality. The speaker questions whether their belief in loving their neighbor came from reason or external influence. They argue that reason, in its pursuit of self-interest, justifies harming others. The law of loving others, however, cannot be reasoned or deduced because it goes against self-interest. The quote suggests that innate compassion and empathy are inherent within human nature rather than solely derived from rational thought.
By Leo Tolstoy
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