Leo Tolstoy
Author of War and Peace and Anna Karenina
Most quoted
"One of the most widespread superstitions is that every man has his own special, definite qualities: that he is kind, cruel, wise, stupid, energetic, apathetic, etc. Men are not like that... men are like rivers: the water is the same in each, and alike in all; but every river is narrow here, is more rapid there, here slower, there broader, now clear, now cold, now dull, now warm. It is the same with men."
— from War and Peace, 1869
"A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbor — such is my idea of happiness."
— from Family Happiness, 1878
"The anarchists are right in everything; in the negation of the existing order, and in the idea of a state of society based on freedom and equality, in the idea of a future social order; only they are on the wrong track in believing that this state of society can be brought about by violence."
— from Letter to a Non-Commissioned Officer, 1900
All quotes by Leo Tolstoy (276)
The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity, by contributing to the realization of truth and love, in the individual and in society.
Love is the only way to rescue humanity from all ills.
The most important thing is to live a good life, to be useful to others.
A man can live a good life, be useful to others, and die a good death, without ever having believed in God.
The highest good is to love God and your neighbor.
The purpose of life is to do good.
The great thing is to be good, to be useful, to be kind.
The most important thing is to live a good life, to be useful to others, and to die a good death.
The only way to be happy is to love and to be loved.
The only way to be happy is to love God and your neighbor.
The only way to be happy is to do good.
The only way to be happy is to live a good life.
The only way to be happy is to be useful to others.
The only way to be happy is to be kind.
The only way to be happy is to be good.
The only way to be happy is to be true to yourself.
The only way to be happy is to be free.
The only way to be happy is to be simple.
The only way to be happy is to be humble.
The only way to be happy is to be patient.
Contemporaries of Leo Tolstoy
Other Literatures born within 50 years of Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910).