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
If a man does not work at necessary and good things, then he will work at unnecessary and stupid things
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of dedicating effort to meaningful pursuits rather than wasting time on trivial or harmful activities.
Leo Tolstoy's statement reflects the idea that when individuals fail to invest their time and energy into actions that are beneficial and necessary, they will inevitably end up engaging in activities that lack value or purpose. This highlights the necessity of directing one's efforts toward constructive goals in order to lead a fulfilling and productive life, rather than falling into the trap of triviality and distraction.
Themes
WorkPurposeEffortMeaningProductivity
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about the importance of focusing on goals.
More from Leo Tolstoy
All quotes βPierre looked into the sky, into the depths of the retreating, twinkling stars. "And all this is mine, and all this is in me, and all this is me!" thought Pierre. "And all this they've caught and put in a shed and boarded it up!
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People try to do all sorts of clever and difficult things to improve life instead of doing the simplest, easiest thing-refusing to participate in activities that make life bad.
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It's too easy to criticize a man when he's out of favour, and to make him shoulder the blame for everybody else's mistakes.
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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 β such is my idea of happiness.
Leo TolstoyRead
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