Quote by Leo Tolstoy
...but most of all he liked to listen to stories of real life. He smiled gleefully as he listened to such stories, putting in words and asking questions, all aiming at bringing out clearly the moral beauty of the action of which he was told. Attachments, friendships, love, as Pierre understood them, Karataev had none, but he loved and lived on affectionate terms with every creature with whom he was thrown in life, and especially so with man- not with any particular man, but with the men that happened to be before his eyes.But his life, as he looked at it, had no meaning as a separate life. It only had meaning as part of a whole, of which he was at all times conscious.
Summary
This quote highlights the character of Karataev, emphasizing his fondness for listening to stories about real-life experiences. He takes delight in understanding the moral beauty of these stories and engages actively by asking questions and putting things into words. While Karataev lacks personal attachments like friendships or romantic love as Pierre understands them, he nonetheless forms affectionate connections with everyone he encounters. Karataev sees his own life as interconnected with others, believing that its true meaning lies within the context of the larger whole, of which he is always aware.
By Leo Tolstoy
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