Mahatma Gandhi Life Principles And Political Thoughts

Read these Mahatma Gandhi life principles and political thoughts are enough to tell you about him.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, more popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was an influential figure in the Indian Independence Movement.

He led India’s independence independence movement without any violence.

This great Indian political and spiritual leader advocated civil disobedience or non-violent, but aggressive protest, known as satyagraha.

Mahatma Gandhi believed all mankind should be united under one God.

According to him, it is more correct to say that Truth is God than to say God is truth.
He wrote:

"Nothing is or exists in reality except Truth." - Mahatma Gandhi

(The Selected Works Of Mahatma Gandhi: The Voice Of Truth, Vol. 6, By M.K. Gandhi, Edited

By Shriman Narayan, India: Navajivan Publishing House, 1968, Pt. II, Sec. I, Truth, World And

Man, Truth And God, p.96) source

Besides non-violence, there are two aspects of life which is also synonymous with Gandhi are: love and forgiveness.

He not only changed the course of Indian history, but his life philosophy has great impact all the world over.

One of his famous followers was Nelson Mandela, the South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and political leader.

Gandhi aka Bapu's social and political ideologies was so strong that there is a movement called Gandhism.

Remember even the German-born theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein has this to say about Gandhi or "Father Of Nation":

“Generations to come, it may be, will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth." - Albert Einstein

(Out of My Later Years: The Scientist, Philosopher And Man Portrayed Through His Own Words By Albert Einstein, Wings Books, 1956, p.240) source

Mahatma Gandhi Life Principles And Political Thoughts

Now, let's check out Mahatma Gandhi life principles and political thoughts are enough to tell you about him.

---

"For me patriotism is the same as humanity. I am patriotic because I am human and humane.” - Mahatma Gandhi

(India Of My Dreams By M. K. Gandhi, Compiled By R. K. Prabhu, With A Foreword By Dr. Rajendra Prasad, India: Jitendra T. Desai, Navajivan Publishing House, 1947, CH. 3, In Defense Of Nationalism, p.20)

(The quote is also found in: The Selected Works Of Mahatma Gandhi: The Voice Of Truth, Vol. 6, By M.K. Gandhi, Edited By Shriman Narayan, India: Navajivan Publishing House, 1968, Pt. II, Sec. IV: One World, Nationalism And Internationalism, p.246)

---

“What barrier is there that love cannot break?” - Mahatma Gandhi

(Autobiography Or The Story Of My Experiments With Truth By M. K. Gandhi, Translated From The Gujarti By Mahadev Desai, India: Navajivan Publishing House, 1948, Part II, Ch. XXVIII, Poona And Madras, p.222)

(The quote is also found in: Autobiography: The Story Of My Experiments With Truth, Courier Corporation, 1983, Part II, Ch.XXVIII, Poona And Madras, p.158)

---

"My life is my message." - Mahatma Gandhi

(Gandhi’s Life In His Own Words By M. K. Gandhi, Compiled By Krishna Kripalani, India: Navajivan Publishing House, 1983, p.1)

---

“A man of few words will rarely be thoughtless in his speech; he will measure every word.” - Mahatma Gandhi

(An Autobiography Or The Story Of My Experiments With Truth By M. K. Gandhi, Translated From The Gujarati By Mahadev Desai, India: Navajivan Publishing House, 2004, Ch.18, Shyness My Shield)

(This quote is also found in: Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth By Mahatma Gandhi, Courier Corporation, 1983, Part I, Ch. XVIII, Shyness My Shield; p.55)

(The original source of the quote: Young India, Volume 8, India: Navajivan Publishing House, 1926, p.128)

---

“The seeker after truth should be humbler than the dust. The world crushes the dust under its feet, but the seeker after truth should so humble himself that even the dust could crush him. Only then, and not till then, will he have a glimpse of truth.” – Mahatma Gandhi

(My Experiments With The Truth By Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Start Publishing LLC, 2012, Introduction)

(The quote is also found in: Autobiography: The Story Of My Experiments With Truth By M. K. Gandhi, Translated From The Gujarati By Mahadev Desai, India: Navajivan Publishing House, 2005, Introduction)

---

"Prayer is nothing else but an intense longing of the heart." - Mahatma Gandhi

(Prayer By M. K. Gandhi, Compiled & Edited By Chandrakant KajiI, India: Navajivan Publishing House, 1977, Ch. 1, Meaning Of And Necessity For Prayer, p.6)

(The quote is also found in: Collected Works Of Mahatma Gandhi, Volume 32, Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, 1958, p.432)

---

"If I was a perfect man, I own I should not feel the miseries of neighbors as I do" - Mahatma Gandhi

(The Mind Of Mahatma Gandhi By M. K. Gandhi, Compiled & Edited By R. K. Prabhu & U. R. Rao, With Forewords By Acharya Vinoba Bhave & Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, India: Navajivan Publishing House, 1960, I, Of Myself, I Know The Path, Search For Truth, p.18)

(The quote is also found in: The Essential Gandhi: His Life, Work, And Ideas: An Anthology, Edited By Louis Fischer, Vintage Books, 1962, p.159)

---

"...abstinence is forgiveness only when there is the power to punish; it is meaningless when it pretends to proceed from a helpless creature." - Mahatma Gandhi

(My Non-Violence By M. K. Gandhi, Compiled And Edited By Sailesh Kumar Bandopadhyaya, India: Navajivan Publishing House, 1960, Ch. 1, The Doctrine Of The Sword, p.3)

(The quote is also found in: All Men Are Brothers By Mohandas K. Gandhi, Bloomsbury Publishing, 2005, Ch. IV, Ahimsa Or The Way Of Non-violence p.100)

---

"Non-violence is not a cover for cowardice, but it is the supreme virtue of the brave. Exercise of non-violence requires far greater bravery than that of swordsmanship." - Mahatma Gandhi

(My Non-Violence By M. K. Gandhi, Compiled And Edited By Sailesh Kumar Bandopadhyaya, India: Navajivan Publishing House, 1960, Ch. 13, Has Non-violence Limits?, p.3)

(The quote is also found in: The Mind Of Mahatma Gandhi By M. K. Gandhi, Compiled And Edited By Ramachandra Krishna Prabhu, U. R. Rao, With Forewords By Acharya Vinoba Bhave & Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, India: Navajivan Publishing House, 1967, Ch. 21, The Gospel Of Non-Violence, No Cover For Cowardice, p.119)

---

"There is no such thing as defeat or despair in the dictionary of a man who bases his life on Truth and Non-violence." - Mahatma Gandhi

(My Non-Violence By M. K. Gandhi, Compiled And Edited By Sailesh Kumar Bandopadhyaya, India: Navajivan Publishing House, 1960, Ch. 2, Theory And Practice Of Non-violence, p.49)

(The quote is also found in: Non-Violent Resistance Satyagraha) By M. K. Gandhi, New York: Dover Publications, Inc, 2001, Sect. Tenth: Questions And Answers, Ch. 169, On Non-Violence, Questions In Paris And Geneva, p.358)

---

"FEARLESSNESS IS the first requisite of spirituality. Cowards can never be moral." - Mahatma Gandhi

(The Mind Of Mahatma Gandhi By M. K. Gandhi, Compiled And Edited By Ramachandra Krishna Prabhu, U. R. Rao, With Forewords By Acharya Vinoba Bhave & Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, India: Navajivan Publishing House, 1967, Ch. 3, Fearlessness, The Gospel of Fearlessness, p.59)

(The quote is also found here.)

---

Note: Here are four sites where you can read and inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's free collection of books:

MKGandhi

Gandhi Heritage Portal

MKGandhi Sarvodaya

Gandhi Sevagram Ashram

Keep Reading...

Why Are These 15 Leo Tolstoy Aphorisms And Thoughts So Widely Quoted By So Many?

There are many great Leo Tolstoy aphorisms and thoughts, you can find from his large body of works - all 90 volumes.

That include novels, short stories, fairy tales, essays, dairies, journals and personal letters.

It is glad to know that till today people all over the world like to quote from this celebrated Russian author's writings.

But the sad thing is, there are many Leo Tolstoy misquotes, which are widely published and blindly shared in both print and digital media.

The most popularly quote wrongly attributed to Leo Tolstoy is: "If you want to be happy, be."

A far as I know, you cannot find this particular line in any of Leo Tolstoy's books.

Strangely, you can find it credited to Leo Tolstoy all over the places; be they published books, magazines, YouTube clips and the many established quotation websites.

By the way, the actual quote in English translated from the Russian is:

"If you want to be happy, be so."

"Если хочешь быть счастливым, будь им" (Russian)

(Сочинения Козьмы Пруткова By Козьма Прутков, Виталий Дмитриевич Сквозников, Московский рабочий, 1987, 80, p.83)

This quotation is actually written by Kozma Prutkov.

By the way, Kozma Prutkov is a fictional author.

It was created by Count Aleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy (aka A. K. Tolstoy), together with his cousins, three Zhemchuzhnikov brothers, Alexei, Vladimir and Alexander.

For your information, Aleksey was a member of the Tolstoy family; a second cousin of Leo Tolstoy.

Leo Tolstoy Aphorisms And Thoughts

Now, let's go through these verified authentic 15 Leo Tolstoy aphorisms and thoughts to find out why they are so widely quoted.

My answer is, these Leo Tolstoy quotations are profound.

---

“...there is less charm in life when we think of death, but more restfulness." - Leo Tolstoy

(Anna Karenina By Count Leyof N. Tolstoi, Translated From The Russian By Nathan Haskell Dole, New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1899, Part Fourth, Ch. VII, p.185)

(The quote is also found in: Anna Karenina By Lyof N. Tolstoi, Vols. I -II, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1922, Part Fourth, Ch. VII, p.185)

---

“Respect... was invented to cover up the lack of love." - Leo Tolstoy

(Anna Karenina By Count Leyof N. Tolstoi, Translated From The Russian By Nathan Haskell Dole, New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1899, Part Seventh, Ch. XXIV, p.304)

(The quote is also found in: The Novels And Other Works Of Lyof N. Tolstoi, Volume 9, Translated From The Russian By Nathan Haskell Dole, Charles Scribner's sons, 1917, Anna Karenina, Part Seventh, Ch. XXIV, p.304)

---

“If we probe too deeply into our hearts, we run the risk of touching on what we ought not to perceive.” - Leo Tolstoy

(Anna Karenina By Count Leyof N. Tolstoi, Translated From The Russian By Nathan Haskell Dole, New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1899, Part Two, Ch. IX, p.191)

(The quote is also found in: Anna Karenina By Lyof N. Tolstoi, Vols. I -II, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1922, Part Two, Ch. IX, p.191)

---

"...all the charm, all the beauty, of life consists in lights and shades." - Leo Tolstoy

(Anna Karenina By Count Leyof N. Tolstoi, Translated From The Russian By Nathan Haskell Dole, New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1899, Part First, Ch. XI, p.55)

(The quote is also found in: Anna Karenina By Lyof N. Tolstoi, Vols. I -II, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1922, Part First, Ch. XI, p.55)

---

"...the aim of civilization is to translate everything into enjoyment." - Leo Tolstoy

(Anna Karenina Volume I By Lyof N. Tolstoi, Translated From The Russian By Nathan Haskell Dole, New York : Thomas Y. Crowell & Company, 1899, Part First, Ch. X, p.47)

(The quote is also found in: Anna Karenina Vols. I-II By Lyof Nikolayevich Tolstoi, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1922, Part First, Ch. X, p.47)

---

"Everything intellectual is considered so dull." - Leo Tolstoy

(Anna Karenina Volume I By Lyof N. Tolstoi, Translated From The Russian By Nathan Haskell Dole, New York : Thomas Y. Crowell & Company, 1899, Part Second, Ch. VI, p.173)

(The quote is also found in: Anna Karenina Vols. I-II By Lyof Nikolayevich Tolstoi, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1922, Part Second, Ch. VI, p.173)

---

"I cannot live without knowing what I am and why I exist. Since I cannot reach this knowledge, life is impossible." - Leo Tolstoy

(Anna Karenina By Count Leyof N. Tolstoi, Translated From The Russian By Nathan Haskell Dole, New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1899, Part Eight, Ch. IX, p.361-62)

(The quote is also found in: Anna Karenina: In Eight Parts By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Nathan Haskell Dole, Thomas Y. Crowell & Company, 1914, Part Eight, Ch. IX, p.744)

---

“What a strange delusion it is to fancy beauty is goodness.” - Leo Tolstoy

(The Kreutzer Sonata By Cont Leo Nikolaevitch Tolstoi, Translated By Ivan Lepinski, Calcutta: The British India Publishing Company, 1891, Ch. V, p.52)

(The quote is also found in: The Kreutzer Sonata By Cont Leo Nikolaevitch Tolstoi, Translated By Ivan Lepinski, Random House, 1957, Ch. V, p.52)

---

"Only those who can love strongly can experience an overwhelming grief."- Leo Tolstoy

(Childhood, Boyhood And Youth By Count Leo Tolstoy, Translated With An Introduction By C.J. Hogarth, London & Toronto: J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd., New York: E. P. Dutton Co., 1917, Childhood, XXVIII - Sad Recollections, p.88)

(The quote is also found in: Childhood By Leo Tolstoy, Xist Publishing, 2015, XXVIII — Sad Recollections)

---

"The chief difference between words and deeds is that words are always intended for men for their approbation, but deeds can be done only for God." - Leo Tolstoy

(Tolstoy: A Study By Percy Redfern, London: A. C. Fifield, 1907, p.122) 

(The quote is also found here.) 

---

"If you feel that you no longer have faith, know that you are in the most dangerous situation in which a man can find himself on earth." - Leo Tolstoy

(The Law Of Love And The Law of Violence By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Mary Koutouzow Tolstoy, New York: Rudolph Field, 1948, Ch. I, p.10) 

(The quote is also found in: The Law Of Love And The Law of Violence By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Mary Koutouzow Tolstoy, New York: Dover Publications, Inc, 2010, Ch. I, p.8) 

---

"One of the most vulgar of superstitions is that of the wise men who believe that one can live without faith." - Leo Tolstoy

(The Law Of Love And The Law of Violence By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Mary Koutouzow Tolstoy, New York: Rudolph Field, 1948, Ch. I, p.10) 

(The quote is also found in: The Law Of Love And The Law of Violence By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Mary Koutouzow Tolstoy, New York: Dover Publications, Inc, 2010, Ch. I, p.8) 

---

"One cannot struggle against the calls of conscience. These calls come from God; that is why it is preferable to answer them at once." - Leo Tolstoy

(The Law Of Love And The Law of Violence By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Mary Koutouzow Tolstoy, New York: Rudolph Field, 1948, Ch. III, p.18) 

(The quote is also found in: The Law Of Love And The Law of Violence By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Mary Koutouzow Tolstoy, New York: Dover Publications, Inc, 2010, Ch. III, p.16) 

---

"The evil committed by man not only weakens his soul and deprives him of true happiness, but the more often falls back on the one who commits it." - Leo Tolstoy

(The Law Of Love And The Law of Violence By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Mary Koutouzow Tolstoy, New York: Rudolph Field, 1948, Ch. III, p.18) 

(The quote is also found in: The Law Of Love And The Law of Violence By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Mary Koutouzow Tolstoy, New York: Dover Publications, Inc, 2010, Ch. III, p.16) 

---

"Reason is frequently the slave of sin; it strives to justify it." - Leo Tolstoy

(The Law Of Love And The Law of Violence By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Mary Koutouzow Tolstoy, New York: Rudolph Field, 1948, Ch. VIII, p.40) 

(The quote is also found in: The Law Of Love And The Law of Violence By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Mary Koutouzow Tolstoy, New York: Dover Publications, Inc, 2010, Ch. VIII, p.38) 

---

Note: All the above quotations by Leo Tolstoy are verified authentic.

They are all linked to the original sources.

You can read Tolstoy's classic "Anna Karenina" in Russian  here.

You can also read Count Leo Tolstoy's "The Law Of Love And The Law of Violence" online here.

More online books by Leo Tolstoy  here and here.

Keep Reading...

33 Leo Tolstoy Insights And Wisdom You Need To Know If You Want To Live A Happier Life

Leo Tolstoy or his Russian full name, Lev Nikolayevich, Graf (count) Tolstoy.

This great Russian novelist of "War And Peace" and "Anna Karenina" fame was also a moral and religious teacher.

Tolstoy (also spelled as Tolstoi) is not only one of the greatest writers, but also popularly known for his work about the search for life’s meaning.

This was what English poet and cultural critic Matthew Arnold said about Tolstoy's complex 2-volume novel "Anna Karenina":

"...the truth is we are not to take “Anna Karenin” as a work of art; we are to take it as a piece of life. A piece of life it is."

(Essays In Criticism: Second Series By Arnold Matthew, London: Macmillan And Co., 1888, VIII, Count Leo Tolstoi, p.260)

In the later part of his life, Tolstoy became increasingly interested in a version of pacifist Christianity.

Tolstoy's exposition of pacifism and non-violence Strongly influenced many, including Indian activist Mahatma Gandhi and American Baptist minister and activist Martin Luther King.

Leo Tolstoy Insights And Wisdom About Life And Religion

Let's read through my selected 31 Leo Tolstoy's insights and wisdom about life, patriotism and religion, obtained from his various books.

---

"Patriotism in its simplest, clearest and most indubitable signification is nothing else but a means of obtaining for the rulers their ambitions and covetous desires..." - Leo Tolstoy

(Patriotism And Christianity: To Which Is Appended "A Reply To Criticisms" Of The Work And "Patriotism, Or Peace?". A Letter Called Forth By The Venezuelan Dispute Between England And The United States, By Leo Tolstoy, London: Walter Scott, Ltd., 1896, XIV, p.39-40)

(The quote is also found here.)

(The second part is found here.)

---

"Those who are ignorant and are devoted to the religious rites only, are in a deep gloom, but those who are given up to fruitless meditations are in a still greater darkness." - Leo Tolstoy

(A Letter To A Hindu By Leo Tolstoy, Introduction By M. K. Gandhi, Sent to Tarak Nath Das, an Indian revolutionary, 1908, VII)

(The quote is also found in: A Letter To A Hindu By Leo Tolstoy, Xist Publishing, 2016, VII)

---

"Religion has provided a conception of life, and science travels in the beaten path. Religion reveals the meaning of life, and science only applies this meaning to the course of circumstances." - Leo Tolstoy

(My Religion By Count Leo Tolstoi, Translated From The French By Huntington Smith, New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co., 1885, Ch. VII, p.121)

(The quote is also found in: My Religion Translated From The French By Huntington Smith, Auckland, New Zealand: The Floating Press, 2014, Ch. VII, p.105)

---

"...art is not a handicraft, it is the transmission of feeling the artist has experienced." - Leo Tolstoy

(Tolstoy On Art, Translated By Alymer Maude, Humphrey Milford, London: Oxford University Press, 1924, Ch. XIII, What Is Art? (1898), p.316)

(The quote is also found in: What Is Art? By Leo N. Tolstoy, Translated From The Russian Original By Aylmer Maude, Introduction By Vincent Tomas, Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company Inc., 1996, Ch. Nineteen, p.176)

---

“Reasoning knowledge brought me to the conclusion that life was meaningless...” - Leo Tolstoy

(My Confession, My Religion, The Gospel In Brief By Leo Tolstoy, New York: Thomas Y. Crowell, 1899, My Religion, Ch. IX, p.44)

(The quote is also found here.)

---

"If there were no temptations, the world would be happy. The world is unhappy by them." - Leo Tolstoy

(My Confession, My Religion, The Gospel In Brief By Leo Tolstoy, New York: Thomas Y. Crowell, 1899, My Religion, Ch. IX, Temptations, p.438)

(The quote is also found here.)

---

"One of the first and most generally acknowledged conditions of happiness is a life in which the link between man and nature shall not be severed.” - Leo Tolstoy

(My Confession, My religion, The Gospel In Brief By Leo Tolstoy, New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Co., 1899, My Religion, p.220)

(The quote is also found here.)

---

"To get rid of an enemy, one must love him." - Leo Tolstoy

(The Journal of Leo Tolstoi: First Volume:1895-1899, Translated From The Russian By Rose Strunsky, New York: Alfred .A. Knopf, 1917, 1896, Sept 14, Y. P., p.71)

(The quote is also found in: The Journal Of Leo Tolstoi 1895~1899 (Abridged) By Leo Tolstoy, Translated From The Russian By Rose Strunsky, Big Byte Books, 1917, 1896, Sept 14, Y.P.)

---

"Error is the force that welds men together; truth is communicated to men only by deeds of truth." - Leo Tolstoy

(My Confession, My Religion, The Gospel In Brief By Leo Tolstoy, New York: Thomas Y. Crowell, 1899, My Religion, Ch. XII, p.278)

(The quote is also found here.)

---

“Thought: To think you can change your life by changing its outward conditions is just like thinking, as I did as a boy, that by sitting on a stick and taking hold of it at both ends I could lift myself up.” - Leo Tolstoy

(Tolstoy's Diaries: 1847-1894 Volume 1, By Leo Tolstoy, Edited And Translated By Reginald Frank Christian, London: Flamingo, 1994, Today, 15 January, Yasnaya Polyana, p.254)

(The second part of the quote is found here.)

---

"...everybody thinks of changing humanity, and nobody thinks of changing himself." - Leo Tolstoy

(Some Social Remedies: Socialism, Anarchy, Henry Georgism And The Land Quesstion, Communism, Etc. By Leo Tolstoy, The Free Age Press, Christchurch, Hants, 1900, Three Methods Of Reform (From The Private MS Diary), p.29)

(This quote is also found in: Pamphlets. Translated From The Russian, By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By A. MaudeChrist, church, Hants, U.K: Free Age Press, 1900, Three Methods Of Reform (From The Private MS Diary), p.71)

(Another source of the quote is found here.)

---

"There can be only one permanent revolution - a moral one; the regeneration of the inner man." - Leo Tolstoy

(Some Social Remedies: Socialism, Anarchy, Henry Georgism And The Land Question, Communism, Etc. By Leo Tolstoy, The Free Age Press, Christchurch, Hants, 1900, Three Methods Of Reform (From The Private MS Diary), p.29)

(This quote is also found in: Pamphlets By Leo Tolstoy, Translated From The Russian By Aylmer Maude, Christchurch, Hants, U.K: Free Age Press, 1900, Three Methods Of Reform (From The Private MS Diary), p.71)

(The second part of the quote here.)

(Another source of the quote is found here.)

---

"All we can know is that we know nothing. And that's the height of human wisdom." - Leo Tolstoy

(War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, William Benton, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., 1952, Book Five: 1806-07, Ch. I, p.195)

(The quote is also found in: War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, Edited With An Introduction And Notes By Henry Gifford, New York: Oxford University Press, 1998, Book Two, Part Two, p.368)

---

"...there is nothing stronger than those two: patience and time..." - Leo Tolstoy

(War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, William Benton, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., 1952, Book Ten, Ch. XVI, p.425)

(The quote is also found in: War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, Edited With An Introduction And Notes By Henry Gifford, New York: Oxford University Press, 1998, Book Three, Ch. 16, p.798)

---

“A king is history slave.” - Leo Tolstoy

(War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, William Benton, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., 1952, Book Nine: 1812, Ch. I, p.343)

(The quote is also found in: War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, With Introduction By Henry And Olga Claridge, Wordsworth Classics, 1993, Book Nine, Ch. I, p.479)

---

"To love life is to love God." - Leo Tolstoy
(War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, William Benton, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., 1952, Book Fourteen: 1812, Ch. XV, p.608)

(The quote is also found in: War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, Edited With An Introduction And Notes By Henry Gifford, New York: Oxford University Press, 1998, Book Four, Ch. 15, p.1137)

---

"...there is no greatness there where simplicity, goodness, and truth are absent" - Leo Tolstoy

(War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, William Benton, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., 1952, Book Fourteen: 1812, Ch. XVIII, p.611)

(The quote is also found in: War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, Edited With An Introduction And Notes By Henry Gifford, New York: Oxford University Press, 1998, Book Four, Ch. 18, p.1144)

---

"There are two sides to the life of every man, his individual life, which is the more free the more abstract its interests, and his elemental hive life in which he inevitably obeys laws laid down for him." - Leo Tolstoy

(War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, William Benton, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., 1952, Book Nine: 1812, Ch. I, p.343)

(The quote is also found in: War And Peace Volume I By Leo Tolstoi, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany: Outlook Verlag, 2018, Ch. I, p.924)

---

“If no one fought except on his own conviction, there would be no wars." - Leo Tolstoy

(War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, William Benton, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., 1952, Book One: 1812, Ch. VI, p.12)

(The quote is also found in: War And Peace Volume I By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, With Introduction By Henry And Olga Claridge, Wordsworth Classics, 1993, Book One, Ch. 6, p.19)

---

“If there were no suffering, man would not know his limitations, would not know himself.” - Leo Tolstoy

(War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, William Benton, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., 1952, Book Eleven: 1812, Ch. IX, p.481-82)

(The quote is also found in: War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise Shanks Maude & Aylmer Maude, Simon and Schuster, 1942, Book Eleven: 1812, Ch. IX, p.941)

---

"It is known that man has the faculty of becoming completely absorbed in a subject however trivial it may be. And it is known there is no subject so trivial that it will not grow to infinite proportions if one's entire attention is devoted to it" - Leo Tolstoy

(War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, William Benton, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., 1952, First Epiloque: 1813-20, Ch. X, p.660)

(The quote is also found in: War And Peace, Volume 1 Complete & Unabridged By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, Collector's Library, 2004, First Epiloque, Ch. 10, p.440)

---

"...there are only two sources of human vice - idleness and superstition, and only two virtues - activity and intelligence.” - Leo Tolstoy

(War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, William Benton, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., 1952, Book One: 1805, Ch. XXV, p.47)

(The quote is also found in: War And Peace, Volume 1 Complete & Unabridged By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, Collector's Library, 2004, Book 1, Ch. 25, p.126)

---

"Love hinders death. Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love. Everything is, everything exists, only because I love." - Leo Tolstoy

(War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, William Benton, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., 1952, Book Twelve: 1812, Ch. XVI, p.561)

(The quote is also found in: War And Peace, Volume 1 Complete & Unabridged By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, Collector's Library, 2004, Book 12, Ch. 15, p.219)

---

"Seize the moments of happiness, love and be loved! That is the only reality in the world, all else is folly." - Leo Tolstoy

(War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, William Benton, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., 1952, Book Four: 1806, Ch. XI, p.185)

(The quote is also found in: War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, Introduction By Henry And Olgo Claridge, Wordsworth Classics, 1993, Book Four, Ch. 11, p.257)

---

"All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love." - Leo Tolstoy

(War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, William Benton, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., 1952, Book Twelve: 1812, Ch. XVI, p.561)

(The quote is also found in: War And Peace, Volume 1 Complete & Unabridged By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, Collector's Library, 2004, Book 12, Ch. 16, p.219)

---

"Man lives consciously for himself, but is an unconscious instrument in the attainment of the historic, universal, aims of humanity." - Leo Tolstoy

(War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, William Benton, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., 1952, Book Nine: 1812, Ch. I, p.343)

(The quote is also found in: War And Peace Volume I By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, With Introduction By Henry And Olga Claridge, Wordsworth Classics, 1993, Book Nine, Ch. 1, p.479)

---

"...pure and complete sorrow is as impossible as pure and complete joy." - Leo Tolstoy

(War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, William Benton, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., 1952, Book Fifteen: 1812-13, Ch. I, p.614)

(The quote is also found in: War And Peace - Complete 15 Volume Edition, Including The Biography & Memoirs Of The Author By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, Edited With An Introduction And Notes By Henry Gifford, Musaicum Books, 2017, Book Fifteen: 1812-13, Ch. 1)

---

"...most friendly and simplest relations of life, praise and commendation are essential, just as grease is necessary to wheels that they may run smoothly." - Leo Tolstoy

(War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, William Benton, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., 1952, Book One: 1805, Ch. VIII, p.15)

(The quote is also found in: War And Peace By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Louise And Aylmer Maude, Lerner Publishing Group, Inc., 2016, Book One: 1805, Ch. VIII, p.27)

---

“The hero of my tale, whom I love with all the strength of my soul, whom I have tried to set forth in all his beauty, and who has always been, is, and always will be most beautiful, is - the truth.". - Leo Tolstoy

(Sevastopol By Count Lyof N. Tolstoi, Translated From The Russian By Isabel F. Hapgood, New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co., 1888, Sevastopol In May 1855, XVI, p.122)

(The quote is also found in: The Works Of Lyof N. Tolstoi, Volume 4, New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co., 1899, Sevastopol In May 1855, XVI, p.268)

---

"There are many faiths, but the spirit is one..." - Leo Tolstoy

(Resurrection By Lyof N. Tolstoi, Translated By Louise Maude, New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Company, 1899, Book I, Ch. LIX, Nekhludoff's Third Interview With Maslova In Prison, p.239)

(The quote is also found in: Resurrection By Leo Tolstoy, Xist Publishing, 2015, Ch. LIX, Nekhludoff's Third Interview With Maslova In Prison)

---

“One may deal with things without love...but you cannot deal with men without it...It cannot be otherwise, because natural love is the fundamental law of human life.” - Leo Tolstoy

(Resurrection By Lyof N. Tolstoi, Translated By Louise Maude, New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Company, 1899, Book I, Ch. XL, The Fundamental Law Of Human Life, p.154)

(The quote is also found in: The Awakening Resurrection By Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy, Volume 2 Of 2, ReadHowYouWant.com, 2007, Book I, Ch.XL, The Fundamental Law Of Human Life, p.245)

---

"Every man carries in himself the germs of every human quality, and sometimes one manifests itself, sometimes another, and the man often becomes unlike himself, while still remaining the same man.” - Leo Tolstoy

(Patriotism And Christianity: To Which Is Appended "A Reply To Criticisms" Of The Work And "Patriotism, Or Peace?(Resurrection By Lyof N. Tolstoi, Translated By Louise Maude, New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Company, 1899, Book I, Ch. LIX, Nekhludoff's Third Interview With Maslova In Prison, p.234-35)

(The quote is also found in: The Awakening Resurrection By Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy, Volume 2 of 2, ReadHowYouWant.com, 2007, Book I, Ch. LIX, The Fundamental Law Of Human Life, p.375)

---

Note: You can find a good list of Leo Tolstoy's literary works over here.

Keep Reading...

These Leo Tolstoy Life Philosophy And Religion Views Can Transform Your Life And Get You Closer To God

The Russian novelist and moral philosopher Leo Tolstoy is known for epic novels "War And Peace" and "Anna Karenina".  

It was latter part of his life, Tolstoy had a  spiritual awakening.

He became a fervent Christian anarchist and pacifist.

There is this Tolstoyan Movement, which is a social movement based on the philosophical and religious views of this Russian moral philosopher, and religious reformer Leo Tolstoy.

Leo Tolstoy Life Philosophy And Religion Views

Here is a selection of Tolstoy's philosophical and religious views taken from his books.

---

"Freethinkers are those who are willing to use their minds without prejudice and without fearing to understand things that clash with their own customs, privileges, or beliefs. This state of mind is not common, but it is essential for right thinking." - Leo Tolstoy

(On Life And Essays On Religion By Leo Tolstoy, Translated With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, London: Oxford University Press, Humphrey Milford, 1934, Introduction, p.xvi)

(The quote is also found in: The Life Of Tolstoy: Later Years By Aylmer Maude, London: Constable And Company, Limited, 1910, p.519) 

---

"Man cannot think of life without a wish for his own welfare... to desire and strive for welfare is to live." - Leo Tolstoy

(On Life And Essays On Religion By Leo Tolstoy, Translated With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, London: Oxford University Press, Humphrey Milford, 1934, On Life, I, The Fundamental Contradiction Of Human Life, p.16) 

(The quote is also found here.)

---

"The longer a man lives the more clearly he sees that enjoyments become ever less and less, while weariness, satiety, troubles, and suffering, become greater and greater." - Leo Tolstoy

(On Life And Essays On Religion By Leo Tolstoy, Translated With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, London: Oxford University Press, Humphrey Milford, 1934, On Life, I, The Fundamental Contradiction Of Human Life, p.18)

(The quote is also found in: The Works Of Leo Tolstoy: On Life And Essays On Religion By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Aylmer Maude, London: Oxford University Press, H. Milford, For The Tolstoy Society, 1934, On Life, p.18)

---

"...reason is the law by which reasonable beings-men- must inevitably live." - Leo Tolstoy

(On Life And Essays On Religion By Leo Tolstoy, Translated With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, London: Oxford University Press, Humphrey Milford, 1934, On Life, I, The Fundamental Contradiction Of Human Life, p.47)

(The quote is also found in: The Works Of Leo Tolstoy: On Life And Essays On Religion By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Aylmer Maude, London: Oxford University Press, H. Milford, For The Tolstoy Society, 1934, On Life, p.47

---

"We know nothing fully except our own life, our aspiration towards good, and the reason which indicates this good to us." - Leo Tolstoy

(On Life And Essays On Religion By Leo Tolstoy, Translated With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, London: Oxford University Press, Humphrey Milford, 1934, On Life, XIII, Our Possibility Of Knowing Objects Does Not Increase In Consequence Of Their Manifestation In Space And Time But In Consequence Of The Fact That We And The Things We Study Are Subjects To One And The Same Law, p.57)

(The quote is also found in: The Works Of Leo Tolstoy: On Life And Essays On Religion By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Aylmer Maude, London: Oxford University Press, H. Milford, For The Tolstoy Society, 1934, On Life, p.57)

---

"...whatever a man may do he will not obtain what is good unless he lives in accord with the law of his life." - Leo Tolstoy

(On Life And Essays On Religion By Leo Tolstoy, Translated With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, London: Oxford University Press, Humphrey Milford, 1934, On Life, XIX, Confirmation Of The Demands Of Rational Conscious, p.78)

(The quote is also found in: The Works Of Leo Tolstoy: On Life And Essays On Religion By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Aylmer Maude, London: Oxford University Press, H. Milford, For The Tolstoy Society, 1934, On Life, p.78)

---

"Life as personal existence has been outgrown by humanity, and it is impossible to return to it and forget that man's personal existence has no meaning." - Leo Tolstoy

(On Life And Essays On Religion By Leo Tolstoy, Translated With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, London: Oxford University Press, Humphrey Milford, 1934, On Life, XXI, What Is Needed Is Not A Renunciation Of Personality, But Its Subjection To Reasonable Consciousness, p.88)

(The quote is also found in: The Works Of Leo Tolstoy: On Life And Essays On Religion By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Aylmer Maude, London: Oxford University Press, H. Milford, For The Tolstoy Society, 1934, On Life, p.88)

---

"Future love does not exist. Love is a present activity only. And a man who does not manifest love in present has no love." - Leo Tolstoy

(On Life And Essays On Religion By Leo Tolstoy, Translated With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, London: Oxford University Press, Humphrey Milford, 1934, On Life, XXIII, The Manifestation Of Love Is Impossible For Those Who Do Not Understand The Meaning Of Life, p.98)

(The quote is also found in: The Works Of Leo Tolstoy: On Life And Essays On Religion By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Aylmer Maude, London: Oxford University Press, H. Milford, For The Tolstoy Society, 1934, On Life, p.98)

---

"Love is only really love when it is a sacrifice of self." - Leo Tolstoy

(On Life And Essays On Religion By Leo Tolstoy, Translated With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, London: Oxford University Press, Humphrey Milford, 1934, On Life, XXV, Love Is The Sole And Complete Activity Of True Life, p.104)

(The quote is also found in: On Life By Leo Tolstoy, A New Translation By Mabel And Agnes Cook, Edited By A. C. Fifield, Christchurch, Hants: Free Age Press, 1902, Ch. XXV, Love Is The Sole And Complete Activity Of The True Life, p.120)

---

"Man does not know his own death and can never know it: it has never yet touched him and he knows nothing of its intentions." - Leo Tolstoy

(On Life And Essays On Religion By Leo Tolstoy, Translated With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, London: Oxford University Press, Humphrey Milford, 1934, On Life, XXVII, Fear Of Death Is Only Consciousness Of The Unsolved Contradiction Of Life, p.111)

(The quote is also found in: The Works Of Leo Tolstoy: On Life And Essays On Religion By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Aylmer Maude, London: Oxford University Press, H. Milford, For The Tolstoy Society, 1934, On Life, p.111)

---

"Man recognizes that he will not die, only when he recognizes that he was never born, but always has been, is, and will be." - Leo Tolstoy

(On Life And Essays On Religion By Leo Tolstoy, Translated With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, London: Oxford University Press, Humphrey Milford, 1934, On Life, XXXII, The Superstition Of Death Arises From Man's Confusing His Different Relationship To The World, p.137)

(The quote is also found in: The Works Of Leo Tolstoy: On Life And Essays On Religion By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Aylmer Maude, London: Oxford University Press, H. Milford, For The Tolstoy Society, 1934, On Life, p.137)

---

"Rational knowledge, presented by the learned and wise, denies the meaning of life, but the enormous masses of men, the whole mankind, receive that meaning in irrational knowledge. And that irrational knowledge is faith..." - Leo Tolstoy

(A Confession And What I Believe, By Leo Tolstoy, Translated, With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, London: Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press, 1921, A Confession, VIII, p.55)

(The quote is also found in: A Confession By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Aylmer Maude, New York: Dover Publication, Inc., 2005, p.43)

---

“Faith is the strength of life. If a man lives he believes in something. If he did not believe that one must live for something, he would not live." - Leo Tolstoy

(A Confession And What I Believe, By Leo Tolstoy, Translated, With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, London: Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press, 1921, A Confession, IX, p.60)

(The quote is also found in: A Confession By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Aylmer Maude, New York: Dover Publication, Inc., 2005, p.47)

---

"To know God and to live is one and the same thing. God is Life." - Leo Tolstoy

(A Confession And What I Believe, By Leo Tolstoy, Translated, With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, London: Oxford University Press, Humphrey Milford, 1921, A Confession, XII, p.76)

(The quote is also found in: Leo Tolstoy: Spiritual Writings, Compiled And Edited By Charles E. Moore, Orbis Books, 2006, p.58) 

---

"One can only live while one is intoxicated with life; as soon as one is sober it is impossible not to see that it is all a mere fraud and a stupid fraud!" - Leo Tolstoy
(A Confession And What I Believe, By Leo Tolstoy, Translated, With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, London: Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press, 1921, A Confession, IV, p.23)

(The quote is also found in: A Confession By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Aylmer Maude, New York: Dover Publications Inc., 2005, IV, p.17)

---

"Happy is he who has not been born: death is better than life, and one must free onself from life." - Leo Tolstoy

(A Confession And What I Believe, By Leo Tolstoy, Translated, With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, London: Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press, 1921, A Confession, VI, p.45)

(The quote is also found in: A Confession By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Aylmer Maude, New York: Dover Publications Inc., 2005, VI, p.35)

---

“By faith it appears that in order to understand the meaning of life I must repudiate my reason, the very thing for which alone a meaning is required". - Leo Tolstoy

(A Confession And What I Believe, By Leo Tolstoy, Translated, With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, London: Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press, 1921, A Confession, VIII, p.56)

(The quote is also found in: A Confession By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Aylmer Maude, New York: Dover Publications Inc., 2005, VIII, p.44)

---

"...only in faith can we find for life a meaning and a possibility." - Leo Tolstoy

(A Confession And What I Believe, By Leo Tolstoy, Translated, With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, London: Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press, 1921, A Confession, IX, p.59)

(The quote is also found in: A Confession By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Aylmer Maude, New York: Dover Publications Inc., 2005, IX, p.46)

---

“Satan can never be driven out by Satan. Error can never be corrected by error, and evil cannot be vanquished by evil.” - Leo Tolstoy

(The Kingdom Of God Is Within You: Christianity Not As A Mystic Religion But As A New Theory Of Life, Translated From The Russian Of Leo Tolstoy By Constance Garnett, New York: Cassell Publishing Company, 1894, Ch. 1, The Doctrine Of Non-Resistance To Evil By Force Has Been Professed By A Minority Of Men From The Very Foundation Of Christianity, Catechism Of Non-Resistance, p.6)

(The quote is also found in: The Kingdom Of God Is Within You, Xist Publishing, 2016, Ch. 1, The Doctrine Of Non- Resistance To Evil By Force Has Been Professed By A Minority Of Men From The Very Foundation Of Christianity, Catechism Of Non-Resistance)

---

"The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity..." - Leo Tolstoy

(The Kingdom Of God Is Within You: Christianity Not As A Mystic Religion But As A New Theory Of Life, Translated From The Russian Of Leo Tolstoy By Constance Garnett, New York: Cassell Publishing Company, 1894, Ch. 12, Conclusion - Repent For The Kingdom Of Heaven Is At Hand, p.161)

(The quote is also found in: The Kingdom of God Is Within You By Leo Tolstoy, BookRix, 2019, Ch. 12, Conclusion - Repent For The Kingdom Of Heaven Is At Hand)

---

“The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already..." - Leo Tolstoy

(The Kingdom Of God Is Within You: Christianity Not As A Mystic Religion But As A New Theory Of Life, Translated From The Russian Of Leo Tolstoy By Constance Garnett, New York: Cassell Publishing Company, 1894, Ch. 3, Christianity Misunderstood By Believers, p. 21)

(The quote is also found in: The Kingdom Of God Is Within You, Xist Publishing, 2016, Ch. 3, Christianity Misunderstood By Believers)

---

"Reasonable knowledge had brought me to acknowledge that life is senseless..." - Leo Tolstoy

(A Confession And What I Believe, By Leo Tolstoy, Translated, With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, London: Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press, 1921, A Confession, IX, p.59)

(The quote is also found in: A Confession By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Aylmer Maude, New York: Dover Publications Inc., 2005, IX, p.46)

---

“...for man to be able to live he must either not see the infinite, or have such an explanation of the meaning of life as will connect the finite with the infinite.” - Leo Tolstoy

(A Confession And What I Believe, By Leo Tolstoy, Translated, With An Introduction By Aylmer Maude, London: Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press, 1921, A Confession, IX, p.60)

(The quote is also found in: A Confession By Leo Tolstoy, Translated By Aylmer Maude, New York: Dover Publications Inc., 2005, IX, p.47)

---

“Satan can never be driven out by Satan. Error can never be corrected by error, and evil cannot be vanquished by evil.” - Leo Tolstoy

(The Kingdom Of God Is Within You: Christianity Not As A Mystic Religion But As A New Theory Of Life, Translated From The Russian Of Leo Tolstoy By Constance Garnett, New York: Cassell Publishing Company, 1894, Ch. 1, The Doctrine Of Non-Resistance To Evil By Force Has Been Professed By A Minority Of Men From The Very Foundation Of Christianity, Catechism Of Non-Resistance, p.6)

(The quote is also found in: The Kingdom Of God Is Within You, Xist Publishing, 2016, Ch. 1, The Doctrine Of Non- Resistance To Evil By Force Has Been Professed By A Minority Of Men From The Very Foundation Of Christianity, Catechism Of Non-Resistance)

---

“A man cannot get rid of the responsibility, for his own actions.” - Leo Tolstoy

(The Kingdom Of God Is Within You: Christianity Not As A Mystic Religion But As A New Theory Of Life, Translated From The Russian Of Leo Tolstoy By Constance Garnett, New York: Cassell Publishing Company, 1894, Ch. 1, The Doctrine Of Non-Resistance To Evil By Force Has Been Professed By A Minority Of Men From The Very Foundation Of Christianity, p. 10)

(The quote is also found in: The Kingdom Of God Is Within You, Xist Publishing, 2016, Ch. 1, The Doctrine Of Non-Resistance To Evil By Force Has Been Professed By A Minority Of Men From The Very Foundation Of Christianity)

---

"Even the strongest current of water cannot add a drop to a cup which is already full." - Leo Tolstoy

(The Kingdom Of God Is Within You: Christianity Not As A Mystic Religion But As A New Theory Of Life, Translated From The Russian Of Leo Tolstoy By Constance Garnett, New York: Cassell Publishing Company, 1894, Ch. 3, Christianity Misunderstood By Believers, p. 21)

(The quote is also found in: The Kingdom Of God Is Within You, Xist Publishing, 2016, Ch. 3, Christianity Misunderstood By Believers)

---

“The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already..." - Leo Tolstoy

(The Kingdom Of God Is Within You: Christianity Not As A Mystic Religion But As A New Theory Of Life, Translated From The Russian Of Leo Tolstoy By Constance Garnett, New York: Cassell Publishing Company, 1894, Ch. 3, Christianity Misunderstood By Believers, p. 21)

(The quote is also found in: The Kingdom Of God Is Within You, Xist Publishing, 2016, Ch. 3, Christianity Misunderstood By Believers)

---

“There is one thing, and only one thing, in which it is granted to you to be free in life, all else being beyond your power: that is to recognize and profess the truth.” - Leo Tolstoy

(The Kingdom Of God Is Within You: Christianity Not As A Mystic Religion But As A New Theory Of Life, Translated From The Russian Of Leo Tolstoy By Constance Garnett, New York: Cassell Publishing Company, 1894, Ch. 12, Conclusion - Repent, For The Kingdom Of Heaven Is At Hand, p. 161)

(The quote is also found in: The Kingdom Of God Is Within You, Xist Publishing, 2016, Ch. 12, Conclusion - Repent, For The Kingdom Of Heaven Is At Hand)

---

Note: All the above Leo Tolstoy quotations are verified authentic.

They are all linked to the ORIGINAL sources, and NOT from any third-party content.

You can find Tolstoy's collection of works, that include novellas, novels, plays, short stories, non-fictions, essays, letters and autobiographical writings over here.

For those who know how to read Russian language and love Leo Tolstoy's writings, then you should check out his entire body of works over here.

Keep Reading...

Don't Be Fooled By These Amma's Words Of Love And Spiritual Wisdom. They Can Change Your Life Forever

Today, we are going to read and contemplate over these Amma's words of love and spiritual wisdom.

Spiritual leader and humanitarian Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (aka Amma), is internationally known as the "Hugging Saint".

This simple woman from Kerala, India is affectionately known as Amma (meaning mother), has offered her compassion to the world through her darshan, or blessing, by giving maternal hugs.

For the past 30 years, Amma has traveled all over the world, and has embraced more than 27 million people.

This Hindu spiritual leader and guru has initiated a vast network of charitable activities, that include hospitals, educational institutions, disaster relief programs and free homes for the poor, orphanages.

Her global network of charitable projects called "Embracing The World" has provided free medical care to more than 2.6 million people and built over 45,000 homes for the homeless.

  Amma's Words Of Love And Spiritual Wisdom

Now, lets go through Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi's words of love and spiritual wisdom taken from her books and speeches:

---

“My religion is love.” - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(Amma's Pearls Of Wisdom Mata Amritanandamayi, Translated From Malayalam By Embracing the World, Compiled By Valérie Servant, Harper Collins, 2017, Amma: Love In Action)

---

"Our entire lives should become a festival! Spirituality teaches us the way to accomplish this." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(Amma's Pearls Of Wisdom Mata Amritanandamayi, Translated From Malayalam By Embracing the World, Compiled By Valérie Servant, Harper Collins, 2017, January 1-Living With Joy)

---

"Real peace and happiness can be experienced only when the pendulum of the mind stops swinging altogether." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(Amma's Pearls Of Wisdom Mata Amritanandamayi, Translated From Malayalam By Embracing the World, Compiled By Valérie Servant, Harper Collins, 2017, January 3 – Stop The Pendulum Of The Mind)

---

"...the world can become good only if the mind of the individual becomes good." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(Amma's Pearls Of Wisdom Mata Amritanandamayi, Translated From Malayalam By Embracing the World, Compiled By Valérie Servant, Harper Collins, 2017, January 6 – May We Become Insatiable Seekers)

---

"...we are leading an almost unconscious life." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(Amma's Pearls Of Wisdom Mata Amritanandamayi, Translated From Malayalam By Embracing the World, Compiled By Valérie Servant, Harper Collins, 2017, January 11 – Developing Our Consciousness)

---

"Expectation is the cause of all suffering." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(Amma's Pearls Of Wisdom Mata Amritanandamayi, Translated From Malayalam By Embracing the World, Compiled By Valérie Servant, Harper Collins, 2017, January 12 – Expect Nothing)

---

"...when the spiritual and material aspects of life are in balance, like the two wings of a bird, can there be harmony in society." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(Amma's Pearls Of Wisdom Mata Amritanandamayi, Translated From Malayalam By Embracing the World, Compiled By Valérie Servant, Harper Collins, 2017, January 14 – Balancing The Material And The Spiritual)

---

"There is only one Truth. That Truth always shines within all of us." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(Amma's Pearls Of Wisdom Mata Amritanandamayi, Translated From Malayalam By Embracing the World, Compiled By Valérie Servant, Harper Collins, 2017, January 16 – Immutable Truth)

---

"The strength and nourishment that love can give our souls is even more potent than the nourishing power of a mother’s milk for a baby." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(The Timeless Path: A Step-By-Step Guide To Spiritual Evolution By Swami Ramakrishnananda Puri, Amma, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2009, Ch. One: Why People Come To Amma, p.15)

---

"We should try to see everyone as God" - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(The Timeless Path: A Step-By-Step Guide To Spiritual Evolution By Swami Ramakrishnananda Puri, Amma, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2009, Ch. Six: Expanding Our Vision, p.103)

---

"...when true knowledge awakens, the darkness of ignorance disappears." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(The Timeless Path: A Step-By-Step Guide To Spiritual Evolution By Swami Ramakrishnananda Puri, Amma, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2009, Ch. Nine: Removing The Root Of Sorrow, p.155)

---

"There are two types of education: education for livelihood and education for life." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(Address Upon Receiving The Doctorate Of Humane Letters From The State University Of New York, Buffalo, May 25, 2010)

---

"Spirituality has nothing to do with blind faith; it is the principle of awareness that dispels darkness." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(108 Quotes On Faith By Amma (Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi), India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, p.2)

---

"It is the faith and devotion of people, not rituals or ceremonies that fill temples with spiritual energy." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(108 Quotes On Faith By Amma (Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi), India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, p.4)

---

"Faith is needed when rational thought fails." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(108 Quotes On Faith By Amma (Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi), India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, p.7)

---

"Beauty lies in faith, and faith dwells in the heart." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(108 Quotes On Faith By Amma (Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi), India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, p.14)

---

"Some people say, 'God is just a belief,' but in truth, Divinity is within the heart of each one of us." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(108 Quotes On Faith By Amma (Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi), India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, p.18)

---

"Even if we believe in an external God, in actuality this God is inside of us; it is our own true Self." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(108 Quotes On Faith By Amma (Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi), India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, p.20)

---

"Optimism is the light of God. It is a form of grace, which allows you to look at life with greater clarity." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(108 Quotes On Faith By Amma (Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi), India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, p.23)

---

"Spirituality is awakening to one's true nature." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(Understanding And Collaboration Between Religions:An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Translated By Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, Acceptance Speech By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, At The Interfaith Center Of New York, The Rubin Museum Of Art, May, 2, 2006, New York City, p.15)

---

"...if we fail to absorb the spiritual principles, religion will be nothing more than blind faith, shackling us." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(Understanding And Collaboration Between Religions: An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Translated By Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, Acceptance Speech By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, At The Interfaith Center Of New York, The Rubin Museum Of Art, May, 2, 2006, New York City, p.15)

---

"The unity of hearts is what brings about religious unity." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(Understanding And Collaboration Between Religions:An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Translated By Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, Acceptance Speech By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, At The Interfaith Center Of New York, The Rubin Museum Of Art, May, 2, 2006, New York City, p.15)

---

"When we awaken to our true essence, there is no 'I' or 'you' - everything is God." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(The Eternal Truth By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Compiled By Swami Jnanamritananda Puri, English Translation By Dr. M. N. Namboodiri, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, p.5)

---

"All doors cannot be opened with the same key. In a similar way, to open our minds we need different keys to fit our different samskaras and level of understanding." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(The Eternal Truth By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Compiled By Swami Jnanamritananda Puri, English Translation By Dr. M. N. Namboodiri, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, p.11)

---

"Once you transcend the mind, you cannot die. Meditation and spiritual practices give you the power and courage to smile at death." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(Awaken Children! Dialogue With Sri Mata Amritanandamayi, Volume 6, Adaptation & Translation By Swami Amritaswarupananda, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, Ch. 1, The Art Of Dying, p.21)

---

"...beware, your actions in the present determine your future." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(Awaken Children! Dialogue With Sri Mata Amritanandamayi, Volume 6, Adaptation & Translation By Swami Amritaswarupananda, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, Ch. 3, The Theory Of Karma, Wednesday, 22 August, 1984, p.71)

---

"All your problems arise because you don't stand firm within yourSelf." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(Eternal Wisdom: Upadeshamritam, Volume 2, Compiled By Swami Jnanamritananda Puri, English Translation From The Original Malayalam By Dr. M. N. Namboodiri, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, Lawyers In Search Of Justice, p.132)

---

"...there is no difference between the Creator and creation, just as there is no difference between the ocean and its waves." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(May Peace And Happiness Prevail: Keynote Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, The Closing Plenary Session Of The Parliament Of World's Religions, Barcelona, Spain, July 13, 2004, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2004, p.33)

---

"If the desires are not controlled now, later they will control you." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(108 Quotes On Bliss By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, India: Amrita Books, 2015, p.32)

(The quote is also found in: Awaken, Children: Dialogues with Sri Sri Mata Amritanandamayi, Volume 1, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 1992, p.127)

---

"Most people are craving for attachment, not real love." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(108 Quotes On Love By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, p.2)

---

"Compassion is the language the blind can see and the deaf can hear." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(108 Quotes On Love By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, p.6)

---

"When the love that is within you expresses itself in external activities, you will experience true happiness." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(108 Quotes On Love By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, p.15)

---

"When a child smiles, whether it is the child of your friend or of a foe, you cannot help but smile back because the child's love is so pure and innocent." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(108 Quotes On Love By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, p.20)

---

"Pure love is like a beautiful flower with an irresistible fragrance." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(108 Quotes On Love By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, p.20)

---

"Love is the breath of the soul. It is our life force." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(108 Quotes On Love By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, p.21)

---

"Be like the honeybee that gathers the nectar of love wherever it goes. Seek the goodness that is found in everyone and everything." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(108 Quotes On Love By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, p.80)

---

"Live in the world like a flock of birds unattached to anything and ready to fly away at any moment." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(Torrential Love By Swamini Krishnamrita Prana, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, Ch. 12, Challenges On The Path, p. 153)

---

"Whether we are aware of it or not, the real purpose of life is to realize the divinity within." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(From Amma's Heart: Conversation With Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Translated And Written By Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, Purpose Of Life, p.15)

---

"Religion is not limited to the words of the scriptures. It is a way of life. Its beauty and charm are expressed in the love and compassion of those who live in accordance with its precepts." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(May Your Hearts Blossom: An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, At The Parliament Of The World's Religions, Chicago, 3 September 1993, Translated By Swami Amritaswarupananda, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, May Your Hearts Blossom, p.43)

---

“You cannot taste the sweetness of honey by licking a piece of paper on which the word ‘honey’ has been written. Likewise, the principles described in the religious texts must be contemplated, meditated upon, and finally realized." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(May Your Hearts Blossom: An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, At The Parliament Of The World's Religions, Chicago, 3 September 1993, Translated By Swami Amritaswarupananda, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, May Your Hearts Blossom, p.43)

---

"Contentment and happiness depend solely on the mind, not on external objects or circumstances." - Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

(May Your Hearts Blossom: An Address By Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, At The Parliament Of The World's Religions, Chicago, 3 September 1993, Translated By Swami Amritaswarupananda, India: Mata Amritanandamayi Mission Trust, 2014, May Your Hearts Blossom, p.25)

---

If you want to learn more about Amma and her works, go over to these two sites:

Site 1

Site 2

Keep Reading...