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 1
... things which I had prized , and I have begun to de- sire things concerning which I had formerly been indifferent . Like a man who , going out on business , on his way suddenly becomes convinced of the futility of that business , and ...
... things which I had prized , and I have begun to de- sire things concerning which I had formerly been indifferent . Like a man who , going out on business , on his way suddenly becomes convinced of the futility of that business , and ...
Page 2
... things from the wise and prudent , and revealed them unto babes . ' All men cannot be initiated into the mysteries of dogmatic , homiletic , patristic theologies , and so on ; but all can understand what Christ taught and still teaches ...
... things from the wise and prudent , and revealed them unto babes . ' All men cannot be initiated into the mysteries of dogmatic , homiletic , patristic theologies , and so on ; but all can understand what Christ taught and still teaches ...
Page 7
... things that men do , such as condemning private individuals , whole nations , or other religions ; and the inevitable results of these condemnations - executions and wars - were justified by the Church . I saw that the doctrine of ...
... things that men do , such as condemning private individuals , whole nations , or other religions ; and the inevitable results of these condemnations - executions and wars - were justified by the Church . I saw that the doctrine of ...
Page 9
... thing by him- self ; ' and then I became weak . I had been told that it was necessary to believe and to pray , but I felt that my faith was weak , and that I could not pray . I had been told that it was necessary to pray for faith - for ...
... thing by him- self ; ' and then I became weak . I had been told that it was necessary to believe and to pray , but I felt that my faith was weak , and that I could not pray . I had been told that it was necessary to pray for faith - for ...
Page 19
... things , ' says Samuel to the people , chap . xii . 21. They will not help you and will not save you , for they are [ toga ] vain . In order not to perish with your king , believe in God alone . ' ( My faith in these ' toga , ' in these ...
... things , ' says Samuel to the people , chap . xii . 21. They will not help you and will not save you , for they are [ toga ] vain . In order not to perish with your king , believe in God alone . ' ( My faith in these ' toga , ' in these ...
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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