What I Believe

by Leo Tolstoy

Overview

i Full Title 9781605208114_INTF ii Copyright 9781605208114_INTF iii Quote 9781605208114_INTF iv Blank(s) 9781605208114_INTF v - 236 Text 9781605208114_INTM, from CD to come 237 Cosimo Ad 9781605208114_INTB 238 Blank(s) 9781605208114_INTB

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781602067226
Publisher:	Cosimo Classics
Publication date:	09/01/2007
Pages:	248
Sales rank:	861,490
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.56(d)

About the Author

Leo Tolstoy criticized the Russian Orthodox Church in harsh terms for postponing the original Christian ideals to its own interests.

The Russian Ministry of Interior passed a circular order prohibiting the publication of any telegrams, news, and articles expressing sympathy with the writer and criticizing the Synod's decision.

However, Russian glass plant workers presented Tolstoy with a large lump of glass. The lump had the following engraved in gold on it, "You share the fate of many great people in advance of their time, dearest Leo Tolstoy! They used to be burned at the stake and sent to rot in prison or exile before. Let the pharisaic 'high priests' excommunicate you. Russian people will always be proud of you, outstanding, much appreciated and greatly admired as you are."

Date of Birth:

September 9, 1828

Date of Death:

November 20, 1910

Place of Birth:

Tula Province, Russia

Place of Death:

Astapovo, Russia

Education:

Privately educated by French and German tutors; attended the University of Kazan, 1844-47

Read an Excerpt

find his happiness in obeying it. It may be said that it is foolish; that, as unbelievers pretend, Jesus was a visionary, an idealist, whose impracticable rules were only followed because of the stupidity of his / disciples. But it is impossible not to admit that Jesus did say very clearly and definitely that which he intended to say: namely, that men should not resist evil; and that therefore he who accepts his' teaching cannot resist. Nevertheless, neither believers, nor unbelievers, understand these words of Jesus in this clear and simple sense. / CHAPTER II THE CENTRAL DOCTRINE When I understood that the words, " Resist not Evil," mean Resist not Evil, all my previous ideas of Christ's meaning were suddenly changed; and I was terrified, not so much at my former ignorance of his teaching as at the strange misinterpretation which had been mine. I knew, we all know, that the essence of Christianity is love. To say, "Turn the other cheek to the smiter, Love your enemies," is to express the vital principle of Christianity. I had known this from childhood; but why had I not understood these simple words simplywithout seeking in them an allegorical sense ? " Resist not evil," means "Resist not evil at any time"; that is to say, " Never employ force, never do what is con- trary to--love; antl"lfinen still' offend you, put up with the offence; employ no force against force." It would be impossible to speak more clearly and simply than this. How, then, could I, believing as I believed, or at least endeavoured to believe, that he who thus spoke is God — how could I have ever said that to carry this out is above my strength, is impossible? The mastersayjL t.n..mi . .'.'fj-n andcut wood,", and I answerTrrTcaiuiofr do it of my. unaided strength." Saying this I meaa- oe-afLij£ot...