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
The vegetarian movement ought to fill with gladness the souls of those who have at heart the realization of God's kingdom upon earth, not because vegetarianism itself is such an important step towards the realization of this kingdom (all real steps are equally important or unimportant), but because it serves as a criterion by which we know that the pursuit of moral perfection on the part of man is genuine and sincere.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The vegetarian movement signifies a genuine commitment to moral perfection.
In this quote, Leo Tolstoy argues that the vegetarian movement is a reflection of a person's sincere pursuit of moral perfection. Rather than viewing vegetarianism as a singularly important step, he emphasizes that the real significance lies in the awareness and intention behind adopting such a lifestyle, which aligns with the broader ideals of creating a better world in line with the values of God's kingdom on earth.
Themes
VegetarianismMoral PerfectionSincerityKingdom Of GodChange
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about ethical living, one might quote Tolstoy to inspire others to consider the moral implications of their dietary choices.
More from Leo Tolstoy
All quotes →Pierre 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.
Leo TolstoyRead
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.
Leo TolstoyRead
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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