Wealth is a great sin in the eyes of God. Poverty is a great sin in the eyes of man. Leo Tolstoy More Quotes by Leo Tolstoy More Quotes From Leo Tolstoy Boredom: the desire for desires. Leo Tolstoy boredom enthusiasm desire ...the more he did nothing, the less time he had to do anything. Leo Tolstoy The idea, shared by many, that life is a vale of tears, is just as false as the idea shared by the great majority, the idea to which youth and health and riches incline you, that life is a place of entertainment. Leo Tolstoy real people ideas I don't allow myself to doubt myself even for a moment. Leo Tolstoy moments doubt ...so remember: great achievements take time, there is no overnight success. Leo Tolstoy achievement giving-up remember 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. Leo Tolstoy clever trying people Dear Lord, what a madhouse the world is! Leo Tolstoy madhouses dear-lord world Real art, like the wife of an affectionate husband, needs no ornaments. But counterfeit art, like a prostitute, must always be decked out. The cause of production of real art is the artist's inner need to express a feeling that has accumulated...The cause of counterfeit art, as of prostitution, is gain. The consequence of true art is the introduction of a new feeling into the intercourse of life... The consequences of counterfeit art are the perversion of man, pleasure which never satisfies, and the weakening of man's spiritual strength. Leo Tolstoy husband spiritual art There is something in the human spirit that will survive and prevail, there is a tiny and brilliant light burning in the heart of man that will not go out no matter how dark the world becomes. Leo Tolstoy dark heart men Patriotism in its simplest, clearest, and most indubitable meaning is nothing but an instrument for the attainment of the government's ambitious and mercenary aims, and a renunciation of human dignity, common sense, and conscience by the governed, and a slavish submission to those who hold power. That is what is really preached wherever patriotism is championed. Patriotism is slavery. Leo Tolstoy common-sense government war Understand then all of you, especially the young, that to want to impose an imaginary state of government on others by violence is not only a vulgar superstition, but even a criminal work. Understand that this work, far from assuring the well-being of humanity is only a lie, a more or less unconscious hypocrisy, camouflaging the lowest passions we posses. Leo Tolstoy passion government lying People involve themselves in countless activities which they consider to be important, but they forget about one activity which is more important and necessary than any other, and which includes all other things: the improvement of their soul Leo Tolstoy soul inspirational people …the majority of men do not think in order to know the truth, but in order to assure themselves that the life which they lead, and which is agreeable and habitual to them, is the one which coincides with the truth. Leo Tolstoy men order thinking Don't seek God in temples. He is close to you. He is within you. Only you should surrender to Him and you will rise above happiness and unhappiness. Leo Tolstoy childhood unhappy god You can love a person dear to you with a human love, but an enemy can only be loved with divine love. Leo Tolstoy divine love enemy Everything depends on upbringing. Leo Tolstoy depends parenting inspire Happiness does not depend on outward things, but on the way we see them. Leo Tolstoy positive happiness love The most important time is Now Leo Tolstoy adaptability important Without knowing what I am and why I am here, life is impossible. Leo Tolstoy knowing life-is impossible The hero of my tale, whom I love with all the power of my soul, whom I have tried to portray in all his beauty, who has been, is, and will be beautiful, is Truth. Leo Tolstoy hero beautiful love