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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... words concerning the duty of living a life of unselfish toil for the benefit of others , he has been endeavouring in a practical way to carry out his Master's commands , and has devoted himself to ministering to his fellows . 1 In these ...
... words concerning the duty of living a life of unselfish toil for the benefit of others , he has been endeavouring in a practical way to carry out his Master's commands , and has devoted himself to ministering to his fellows . 1 In these ...
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... earnest hope that Count Tolstoi's words may find an echo in the hearts of all those who believe in the regeneration of humanity through the spirit and teachings of Christ . C. POPOFF . WHAT I BELIEVE . INTRODUCTION . I AM five - PREFACE .
... earnest hope that Count Tolstoi's words may find an echo in the hearts of all those who believe in the regeneration of humanity through the spirit and teachings of Christ . C. POPOFF . WHAT I BELIEVE . INTRODUCTION . I AM five - PREFACE .
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... words of God were not as yet clear to me . They seemed to enjoin an impossible self- abnegation , which annulled life itself , and therefore it seemed to me that such abnegation could not be the requirement on which depended man's ...
... words of God were not as yet clear to me . They seemed to enjoin an impossible self- abnegation , which annulled life itself , and therefore it seemed to me that such abnegation could not be the requirement on which depended man's ...
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... words suddenly flashed full upon me ; I accepted the fact that Christ meant exactly what He said ; and then , though I had found nothing new , all that had hitherto obscured the truth cleared away , and the truth itself arose before me ...
... words suddenly flashed full upon me ; I accepted the fact that Christ meant exactly what He said ; and then , though I had found nothing new , all that had hitherto obscured the truth cleared away , and the truth itself arose before me ...
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... words Christ only purposes to extol suffering and self - denial , and in so doing He speaks exaggeratingly , and His expressions are therefore to be regarded as illustrations rather than precise requirements . ' But as soon as I compre ...
... words Christ only purposes to extol suffering and self - denial , and in so doing He speaks exaggeratingly , and His expressions are therefore to be regarded as illustrations rather than precise requirements . ' But as soon as I compre ...
Other editions - View all
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