The Top 7 Leo Tolstoy Quotes
It’s always a good time to read Leo Tolstoy quotes. Reading his quotes allows us to picture a certain past lifestyle. It also allows us to learn about one of the most important Russian novelists.
Leo Tolstoy was an interesting character. He was an anarchist whose own ideas and the realism he embraced tormented him quite often. Worshiped in many corners of the world, Tolstoy was able to introduce strong traditional morals in all his novels.
The best Leo Tolstoy quotes
Let’s read some of the best Leo Tolstoy quotes which have the potential to inspire us. This Russian writer who was born in the 19th century wrote great historical novels such as Anna Karenina or War and Peace. He was a vegetarian and a strong supporter of other alternatives to violence in order to win battles.
Reading his great novels is definitely worth the effort. But before starting such a journey, you should read some of his best quotes. They’re filled with pure Russian realism which served humanity in the past and will continue to do so in the present and in the future.
Learn to be happy
“Happiness does not depend on outward things, but on the way we see them.”
Leo Tolstoy didn’t unveil anything new with this quote. We have a certain degree of influence on the things that happen around us. The degree of influence we have on our thoughts and emotions is even greater.
We often can’t change certain situations. However, we can change our perspective. We can look for hidden opportunities in other places, places we thought were empty.
The importance of faith
“Faith is a knowledge of the meaning of human life, the consequence of which is that man does not kill himself but lives. Faith is the force of life. If a man lives, then he must believe in something. Without faith it is impossible to live.”
A man of great convictions such as Leo Tolstoy had a special place in his life for faith. However, these convictions weren’t limited to religion. Instead, they were part of different situations in which faith plays an essential role either as a burden or as motivation.
Tolstoy firmly believed in anarchism, vegetarianism, and peace. He had solid beliefs and he put his faith on them. He found strength in them.
Feeling misunderstood
“I must get used to the idea that no one will ever understand me. This fate must be common to all people who are very difficult to get along with.”
It’s not easy to have our own ideas and strongly believe in them. Many people feel misunderstood and they rather set aside their beliefs and blend in the society they live in. Should we do that or should we stand by our beliefs and live a more lonely life? We invite you to reflect on that question.
The right order of doing things
“Before giving the people priests, soldiers, and professors, it’s necessary to know whether they’re dying of hunger.”
What’s the use of ideology, faith, religion, or land if you have nothing to eat? Before talking about philosophy, literature, and other similar topics, wouldn’t it be best to end world hunger? That’s how Leo Tolstoy saw it.
A matter of priorities
“Schools are no remedy, but the remedy would be an economic organization under which the people would be better off and have more leisure. Then schools would come.”
This quote matches the last one perfectly. Equality and fair division of wealth were two very important things to Tolstoy. He believed that in order to be cultured and educated, we first had to make sure our basic needs were covered so that we could focus on achieving greater goals.
Marriage
“Marriage is a boat that takes two people for a stormy sea. If one of the two makes a sudden movement, the boat sinks.”
For Tolstoy, a perfect marriage is one in which both people go in the same direction. So, when one partner decides to go on a different path, it can damage what was built with love.
Greatness
“There is no greatness where there is no simplicity, goodness, and truth.”
This is by far Leo Tolstoy’s most beautiful quote. Greatness isn’t based on power or money but on humbleness, generosity, and honesty.
