Summary

The web content presents five thought-provoking quotes by Leo Tolstoy that offer guidance on leading a more content and principled life.

Abstract

The article delves into the profound wisdom of Leo Tolstoy, highlighting five of his quotes that serve as beacons for personal growth and contentment. It emphasizes the importance of self-change as a prerequisite for changing the world, the futility of seeking perfection, the value of embracing our ignorance to attain true wisdom, the power of unconditional love, and the courage to stand against wrongdoing even when it is the norm. The author reflects on Tolstoy's ability to intertwine real-world settings with philosophical undertones in his writing, suggesting that readers can find happiness by applying these quotes to their lives and adopting a mindset of continuous self-improvement and acceptance.

Opinions

The author admires Tolstoy's literary genius, particularly his skill in blending real-world elements with fiction and philosophy.
Tolstoy's quote about changing oneself is seen as a precursor to Gandhi's famous saying, emphasizing personal responsibility in effecting broader change.
The pursuit of perfection is viewed as an unattainable goal that hinders contentment, with the author advocating for embracing imperfections.
A quote on knowing the limits of one's knowledge is linked to a mindset of humility and a lifelong commitment to learning.
The article suggests that true love accepts people as they are, without the desire to change them, which strengthens relationships and personal happiness.
The author criticizes the herd mentality, urging individuals to challenge wrongdoing even when it is widespread, and to be leaders rather than passive followers.

5 Quotes by Leo Tolstoy To Help Lead a More Content Life

The legendary Russian author was also a visionary thinker

Author Leo Tolstoy Translator Nathan Haskell Dole, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

My awe and admiration for Leo Tolstoy’s literary genius began when as a 13-year-old in grade eight, I picked up Resurrection as the book I wanted to read during my summer vacation to do a book review on. Little did I know that it would begin a love affair with the works of one of the greatest writers the world has ever seen — Leo Tolstoy.

With the tremendous fame and acclaim of War and Peace and Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy is often considered the greatest author when it comes to realist fiction. To me, personally, what stands out about Tolstoy’s writing style is the brilliant way how he ties in a real-world setting, with a fictional story — often very pertinent to the times that the story is set in, and also has a hidden broader message — a perfect blend of real-world, fiction and philosophy.

Just like his work, he also has some of the most amazing quotes that hold true and provide perspective on how we can all lead a happier and more content life. Here are my favorite picks.

#1 — “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”

Mahatma Gandhi famously said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

Leo Tolstoy’s quote on very similar lines, probably pre-dated Gandhi’s more famous quote.

The essence of both the quotes is essentially the same — i.e. if we are to change the world, we often have a lot of ideas and thoughts, but it is overwhelming to even think about changing the world. Breaking the goal down into smaller units — i.e. changing one person at a time, makes it a lot less daunting. And there’s no place better to begin that change, than by changing yourself first.

What can you do?

Make small changes in your own life and mindset. Hoping for a greener world? Make changes in your own lifestyle today. Do you hope for more equality in the world? Drop your own sub-conscious discriminative mindset first.

#2 — “If you look for perfection, you’ll never be content.”

The thing about perfection is — it doesn’t really exist. After all, we’re all mere mortals and aren’t meant to be perfect — we all have flaws, and everything we do has some flaws too.

Chasing perfection is a fool’s errand.

Nothing in life is ever enough — there’s always something more that we desire. The reality is that you can only learn to be content if you’re OK being imperfect and learn to embrace these imperfections.

What can you do?

First and foremost, stop trying to strive for that elusive perfection in whatever it is that is dearest to you. Care too much about your looks and the perfect hairstyle? Try the messy look, and see the satisfaction you feel. Obsessed with that perfect presentation? Just go with what you have and give it your best shot, and the result will be more than satisfactory.

#3 — “We can know only that we know nothing. And that is the highest degree of human wisdom.”

This one, in simple words, boils down to humility and self-awareness, in my mind.

As a famous Arabic quote goes,

“He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool; Shun him. He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is a student; Teach him. He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep; Wake him. He who knows, and knows that he knows, is wise; Follow him.”

There is so much in this world to know and to learn that it is probably unwise to assume or believe that you know everything or even too much.

What can you do?

Be humble and be hungry. Humble in that never let your wisdom or knowledge turn into arrogance of any kind. Hunger in that always strive to learn from others and consistently be on the lookout to add to your wisdom — everyone has something to offer, you just need to look for the right thing.

#4 — “When you love someone, you love the person as they are, and not as you’d like them to be.”

We’ve all done this. If there was only this one habit our partner, or parent, or child, or a friend changed about them, they’d be just perfect.

We’re all constantly trying to change others to suit our preferences and turn them into what we think is their ideal version. However, the reality is that if we stopped expecting people to change, and start to love and accept them for who they are, we’d truly be happy and also allow them to be who they are.

This not only liberates you from the burden of expectations and constant frustration, but it also makes the bond between you and the other person stronger.

What can you do?

This one also ties in very well to #1. If there is that one thing about someone else that you would like changed, instead of trying to change them, let them be and learn to love them with that imperfection. If you can’t then make a change in yourself that adapts to their behavior — change yourself before you try to change others.

#5 — “Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it.”

This one can be summarized in a simple term — the herd mentality, and our inherent nature of justifying our actions by the fact that others are doing it too. If someone eats a bar of chocolate and throws the wrapper on the side of the road doesn’t mean it is OK for you to do so as well.

If everyone discriminates on the basis of color or religion, it doesn’t make it OK or acceptable for you to do it as well.

There have been many times in the history of the world where wrong has been done by the majority of the world, but it has taken a revolutionary voice to ignite the change.

What can you do?

You have a voice, use it. Raise it.

If you witness anything wrong happening, don’t just be a bystander, or partake in it, be the voice that stands against the wrong and aims to change it. There are others like you who know it is wrong, but don’t have the courage to speak up — but once someone does speak up, they’d be happy to join. The world is full of followers, but lacks leaders — be that leader.

To go back to where I started — Be the change you want to see in the world.

There are probably hundreds of more amazing quotes and pearls of wisdom that Leo Tolstoy left us with, as part of his literary works or otherwise, but if you can just imbibe these five, you will find yourself in a much happier and more content mind space.