NIHILIST, n. A Russian who denies the existence of anything but Tolstoi. The leader of the school is Tolstoi.

Summary

This quote humorously defines a nihilist as a Russian individual who only believes in the existence of Tolstoy, with Tolstoy himself being considered the leader of this philosophical movement. Nihilism is a doctrine that asserts the meaninglessness or nonexistence of traditional beliefs and values, often associated with a rejection of moral principles and religious beliefs. In this context, the quote suggests that Tolstoy's influence on Russian literature and philosophy is so significant that some may jokingly view nihilism as merely believing in his works.

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