Art begins when a man, with a purpose of communicating to other people a feeling he once experienced, calls it up again within himself and expresses it by certain external signs.
Leo TolstoyRead
All the girls in the world were divided into two classes: one class included all the girls in the world except her, and they had all the usual human feelings and were very ordinary girls; while the other class -herself alone- had no weaknesses and was superior to all humanity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the perception of a unique and idealized love that elevates one above all others.
In this quote, Tolstoy illustrates the duality of admiration and idealization in romantic relationships. It suggests that the speaker sees their beloved as so extraordinary that she is separated from the rest of humanity, whom they perceive as ordinary and flawed. This comparison indicates the depth of affection, while also highlighting how such idealization can lead to a skewed perception of both love and reality.
Themes
LoveIdealizationHuman FeelingsSuperiorityRomance
In practice
Example use cases
In a romantic speech to express deep feelings.
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Music is the shorthand of emotion. Emotions, which let themselves be described in words with such difficulty, are directly conveyed to man in music, and in that is its power and significance.
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A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbor — such is my idea of happiness.
Leo TolstoyRead
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