What I BelieveOriginally published in 1885, What I Believe is part of series of books by novelist Leo Tolstoy that outline his personal interpretation of Christian theology. After a midlife crisis at age 50, he began to believe in the moral teachings of Christianity, while rejecting mysticism and organized religion. He believed that pacifism and poverty were the paths to enlightenment. His precepts of nonviolence even influenced Mohandas Gandhi. Students of religion, political science, and literature alike will gain new understanding from the ideas presented in this book. Students of literature will get to understand more deeply one of the greatest novelist in history, while those interested in religion and politics can see how Tolstoy's philosophy came to influence the world at large. Russian writer COUNT LEV ("LEO") NIKOLAYEVICH TOLSTOY (1828-1910) is best known for his novels War and Peace (1869) and Anna Karenina (1877). |
From inside the book
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Page 15
... contrary , He says definitely that we are to fulfil His commandments , and that he who does not shall not enter the kingdom of God . He does not say that it is hard to keep this law ; He says , on the contrary , ' My yoke is easy , and ...
... contrary , He says definitely that we are to fulfil His commandments , and that he who does not shall not enter the kingdom of God . He does not say that it is hard to keep this law ; He says , on the contrary , ' My yoke is easy , and ...
Page 16
... contrary , I was told that it was perfectly right , and in nowise contrary to Christ's doctrine . All surrounding interests , such as the peace and safety of myself and family , and of my property , were based on the law that was ...
... contrary , I was told that it was perfectly right , and in nowise contrary to Christ's doctrine . All surrounding interests , such as the peace and safety of myself and family , and of my property , were based on the law that was ...
Page 17
... contrary to His doctrine . Such a notion of the practical impossibility of following the divine doctrine . was imbibed by me gradually and almost impercep- tibly . I was so accustomed to it , it coincided so well with all my animal ...
... contrary to His doctrine . Such a notion of the practical impossibility of following the divine doctrine . was imbibed by me gradually and almost impercep- tibly . I was so accustomed to it , it coincided so well with all my animal ...
Page 19
... contrary to His teaching . What was left me to do , but to acknowledge the teaching as an im- practicable one ? In word I acknowledged the teach- ing of Christ as sacred ; but I did not carry out that teaching in deed , for I admitted ...
... contrary to His teaching . What was left me to do , but to acknowledge the teaching as an im- practicable one ? In word I acknowledged the teach- ing of Christ as sacred ; but I did not carry out that teaching in deed , for I admitted ...
Page 22
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What I Believe: Translated from the Russian by Constantine Popoff Leo Tolstoy No preview available - 1999 |
Common terms and phrases
acknowledge amongst anger answer believe brethren Christ says Christ's doctrine Christ's words Christian Church clear clearly commandments of Christ commit adultery condemn consider contrary courts of law creed dead death deeds deprive destroy disciples Divine doctrine of Christ earth enjoined Epistle of James eternal law existence explain faith Father fellow-creatures follow forbids fulfil give given Gospel according happiness hath Hebrew language Hebrews human idea individual interpretation John John Chrysostom judge kill kingdom kingdom of God labour law of Christ light likewise love thy neighbour Luke mankind Matt Matthew meaning Mosaic law Moses neighbour never oath obey peace perish Pharisees precept prophets punishment rational resist evil resist not evil Sadducees salvation saved say unto sense suffering swear Talmud taught teaching of Christ thee things Thou shalt tion tooth true truth understand understood verse violence whosoever wife written law