The first thing I noticed when I clicked on my browser today was the Google Doodle which celebrates the birthday by paying tribute to one of the greatest novelist of all time, Leo Tolstoy. When you hear his name the first thing that pops to your mind is ‘War and Peace’ right? And also for a few its ‘Anna Karenina’
Can you believe the fact that one of the greatest writer of all time was described “both unable and unwilling to learn” by his teachers. He left his studies in the middle, went back to Yasnaya Polyana and after sometime joined the army. It was during this time he cultivated the habit of writing. Tolstoy is well known for his complicated persona and also for his extreme moralistic and ascetic views. He is also considered as a moral thinker and a social reformer. His has spread the messages of humanity and simplicity to the world.
Image courtesy : wikiart.org
On his 186th birthday we bring out a few of his greatest words for you:
The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.
I love the way how Leo Tolstoy calls patience and time as warriors, the greatest fighters. Those are the ones which battle against the odds of life and win over every possible struggle and pains of life.
Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.
As same as ‘Charity begins at home’ change begins with oneself.
If you want to be happy, be.
Isn’t it the easiest and the quickest answer on ‘how to be happy?’ If your answer for what you want is strong and clear then how to get it comes as easy as this line.
Faith is the sense of life, that sense by virtue of which man does not destroy himself, but continues to live on. It is the force whereby we live.
Complete trust or confidence in something is the greatest support for accomplishment of anything great in life. “Faith is a radar that sees through the fog.”– Corrie TenBoom
If you look for perfection, you’ll never be content.
Love the imperfect you and know that imperfection is beautiful. Work towards perfection but never miss an opportunity to see glory in imperfections.
Discover more from Inspire99
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
If you chase perfection, you will never be content.
This quote is the best of the lot. Often we want things to be perfect, or situations to be perfect before we begin, and that never happens. It’s best to just begin and pursue excellence over perfection.
Nice post Vidyashree.
Lovely article Vidya, All quotes are well qualified and truly accepted…..:)
Thank you Yogi :)
awesome quotes Vidhyashree. My favorite is if you want to be happy, be.
Isn’t happiness as simple as he defines Shweta? I think we expect a lot to be happy
Excellent quotes.
Thank you Rajesh :)
Great post Vidyashree, honestly I was the one who was always inspired by Leo Tolstoy’s word “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” Though am still changing myself and nothing else is changing because of it :)
This is the most used and the most heard quote, isn’t it Alok? He he Alok even I am on the track with you, trying hard to change many things :)
Best Wishes Vidyashree :)
Lev (Leo) Tolstoy, the picture you have used here was in the cover of the hard bound book which my Grand Dad read and then my Dad and finally me. Anna Karenina is something unforgettable. What was amazing that both in Anna Karenina and War and Peace he portrays Aristocracy but you can relate to them even if you are Lower Middle class. These quotes are truly immortal. Thanks for sharing
The book served its purpose for the second generation and hope it continue for many generations of your family Datta. I agree with the Aristocracy point you mentioned, I have heard a lot about Anna Karenina . It’s in a ‘must-read’ books list and I think its time to read now.
Vidya, I quite like your idea of weaving awesome quotes into a dynamic post :)
Thank you very much Ravish. I would like to do more of it :)