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The Greatest Short Stories of Leo Tolstoy
The Greatest Short Stories Of Leo Tolstoy is a compilation of seven enthralling stories by Leo Tolstoy, and it was published in the year 2009. The book contains well-known works by the author, including the book that is considered by many as his best, War and Peace. Some of his other stories that are covered in this book include Ivan the Fool, How Much Land Does A Man Need?, A Prisoner in the Caucasus, and God Sees The Truth, But Waits. His story, War and Peace, focuses on the French Invasion of Russia, Napoleon Bonaparte, and the revolution, narrated from the point of view of the Tsars. While Ivan the Fool is a parable, How Much Land Does A Man Need? focuses on a greedy peasant. Tolstoy’s stories are very humorous, with an underlying political or philosophical message.
Leo Tolstoy was born in the year 1828 and died in the year 1910, at the age of 82. A writer from Russia, he mainly wrote short stories and novels. He also wrote essays and plays later in life. His most popular novels are Anna Karenina and War and Peace, and these are regarded as some of the best novels in the field of literature. He is often honored as one of the best novelists of all time. His book on the non-violent form of resistance, The Kingdom of God is Within You, inspired great reformers like Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi. He is also well known for his criticism of William Shakespeare. (From Flipkart.com)
Leo Tolstoy was born in the year 1828 and died in the year 1910, at the age of 82. A writer from Russia, he mainly wrote short stories and novels. He also wrote essays and plays later in life. His most popular novels are Anna Karenina and War and Peace, and these are regarded as some of the best novels in the field of literature. He is often honored as one of the best novelists of all time. His book on the non-violent form of resistance, The Kingdom of God is Within You, inspired great reformers like Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi. He is also well known for his criticism of William Shakespeare. (From Flipkart.com)
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
About the author
Leo Tolstoy
7,507 books24.8k followersLev Nikolayevich Tolstoy (Russian: Лев Николаевич Толстой; most appropriately used Liev Tolstoy; commonly Leo Tolstoy in Anglophone countries) was a Russian writer who primarily wrote novels and short stories. Later in life, he also wrote plays and essays. His two most famous works, the novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina, are acknowledged as two of the greatest novels of all time and a pinnacle of realist fiction. Many consider Tolstoy to have been one of the world's greatest novelists. Tolstoy is equally known for his complicated and paradoxical persona and for his extreme moralistic and ascetic views, which he adopted after a moral crisis and spiritual awakening in the 1870s, after which he also became noted as a moral thinker and social reformer.
His literal interpretation of the ethical teachings of Jesus, centering on the Sermon on the Mount, caused him in later life to become a fervent Christian anarchist and anarcho-pacifist. His ideas on nonviolent resistance, expressed in such works as The Kingdom of God Is Within You, were to have a profound impact on such pivotal twentieth-century figures as Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.
His literal interpretation of the ethical teachings of Jesus, centering on the Sermon on the Mount, caused him in later life to become a fervent Christian anarchist and anarcho-pacifist. His ideas on nonviolent resistance, expressed in such works as The Kingdom of God Is Within You, were to have a profound impact on such pivotal twentieth-century figures as Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
October 22, 2016
As relevant today as when it was written. I read Tolstoy a few decades ago. Rereading the stories made me realize how much I learned from Tolstoy. His clean clear prose makes the characters come to life. The lessons he taught are still relevant in our busy lives. I bought this book at special price from here:
https://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Stori...
https://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Stori...
October 29, 2021
برگردان فارسی داستانهای کوتاه دو جلدی تمشک
July 30, 2021
Back in bed with Tolstoy. Once a year with Tolstoy has become a sort of bad habit for me.
He wrote a lot. He wrote a lot of great stories and some lousy stories in between. I love his writing, but I won’t say this book is the greatest as it says. It’s a compilation of 35 short stories but I would say, I liked only a few, 6 to be exact. The rest sounded much like religious propaganda.
All the stories had that unique Tolstoysh flow in them and that’s one thing I like about his writing. It has a very captivating effect. Even when he was ranting about god the whole time, it felt bearable. One story that really caught me is Kholstomir. Absolutely beautiful. So as Master and Man. I guess they really are masterpieces.
I took time to read this book in between books. I don’t think it’s a book to be read on one go, but should be read nevertheless, at least the 6 or 7 stories that doesn’t sound like Bible stories
Book #35 of 2021..
He wrote a lot. He wrote a lot of great stories and some lousy stories in between. I love his writing, but I won’t say this book is the greatest as it says. It’s a compilation of 35 short stories but I would say, I liked only a few, 6 to be exact. The rest sounded much like religious propaganda.
All the stories had that unique Tolstoysh flow in them and that’s one thing I like about his writing. It has a very captivating effect. Even when he was ranting about god the whole time, it felt bearable. One story that really caught me is Kholstomir. Absolutely beautiful. So as Master and Man. I guess they really are masterpieces.
I took time to read this book in between books. I don’t think it’s a book to be read on one go, but should be read nevertheless, at least the 6 or 7 stories that doesn’t sound like Bible stories
Book #35 of 2021..
February 27, 2016
Enjoyed this collection of short stories for their descriptive portraits, simple, immense readability that makes for a limpid reading experience, and the socio-cultural context of Russia the book allowed me to visit. I haven't read Tolstoy's work prior to this, and perhaps will consider one of his longer novels (otherwise, I admittedly get discouraged by books that are too long).
May 28, 2018
Simple yet profound.
August 27, 2021
Mình biết và bắt đầu đọc Tolstoi khi mình mười tám tuổi. Lúc đó mình đã bắt đầu say mê đọc sách và thường hay la cà mấy tiệm sách cũ ở Sa Đéc, có khi không phải để mua mà chỉ để ngắm nghía. Tập truyện ngắn của Tolstoi là một cuốn sách cũ mà mình đã quyết định bỏ tiền ra mua (hình như với giá 30 ngàn) sau rất nhiều lần ngắm nghía như vậy. Lúc đó mình cũng chưa biết Tolstoi là ai, mình chỉ quyết định mua vì có cảm giác đó sẽ là một cuốn sách hay. Cuốn sách do nhà xuất bản Cầu vồng Moscow xuất bản năm 1980, đóng bìa cứng nhưng đã cũ rách.
Văn chương của Tolstoi bước vào tâm hồn mình khi nó hãy còn non trẻ như một búp măng nên cũng thật dễ hiểu là nó đã để lại cho mình biết bao ấn tượng sâu sắc và đẹp đẽ. Mình thích đọc Tolstoi vì văn của ông sâu sắc, chân thực, có gì đó mâu thuẫn và gần gũi với tâm hồn mình. Truyện ngắn đầu tiên trong tập truyện này cũng là truyện để lại cho mình nhiều ấn tượng nhất, có lẽ vì là truyện đầu tiên của Tolstoi mình được đọc, cũng là lần đầu tiên mình được đọc một thứ văn chương say đắm như vậy. Truyện có tên là “Những ghi chép ở Sevastopol”, là tổng hợp những quan sát và ghi chép của Tolstoi về đời sống quân ngũ của những người lính Nga trong cuộc chiến tranh Crimea. Qua truyện ngắn này người đọc sẽ cảm nhận được nỗi thống khổ của những người lính trong chiến tranh là như thế nào. Tolstoi viết truyện này theo dạng bút kí nên toàn bộ câu chuyện không có một nhân vật chính nào. “Trong câu chuyện của tôi không có ai là nhân vật chính cả, nhân vật chính duy nhất của tôi chính là sự thật”. Đó là câu kết của truyện mà mình vẫn còn nhớ. Truyện ngắn này có ảnh hưởng rất lớn với mình vì nó gây cho mình một cảm giác sợ hãi chiến tranh trong một thời gian dài và từ đó về sau mình luôn có một cái nhìn tỉnh táo về chiến tranh.
Còn rất nhiều truyện ngắn hay khác trong tập truyện này. Truyện nào cũng sâu sắc, cũng mâu thuẫn, cũng dằn xé tâm lý ghê gớm. Có lẽ không có truyện nào Tolstoi viết mà nhân vật không bị dằn xé tâm lý hết. Ví dụ như trong truyện “Cái chết của Ivan Ilyich”, nhân vật chính bị dằn xé tâm lý vì cảm giác bị những người thân trong gia đình bỏ rơi. Còn trong truyện “Đức cha Xerghi” thì nhân vật chính bị dằn xé giữa việc buông bỏ theo dục vọng hay giữ gìn đ��c tin. Trong truyện “Buổi sáng của một trang chủ”, nhân vật chính là một trang chủ tốt bụng muốn làm một điều tốt lành cho những nông nô của mình nhưng cái thiện ý của anh ta lại không được các nông nô đón nhận; không phải lúc nào con người muốn làm điều tốt cho người khác cũng phù hợp là vậy đó.
Mình đọc tập truyện này của Tolstoi chắc cũng hai lần. Sau đó còn đem cho thầy mình mượn đọc và giới thiệu cho thằng bạn mua một cuốn giống mình. Tập truyện của Tolstoi có lẽ là tập truyện thực sự hay đầu tiên mà mình được đọc và là tập truyện để lại cho mình nhiều cảm xúc nhất. Nếu bạn nào cũng yêu thích văn chương Nga thì hãy một lần tìm đọc Tolstoi. Các bạn sẽ không cảm thấy hối tiếc đâu. Cuốn sách mình giới thiệu có lẽ bây giờ rất khó tìm. Nếu bạn nào may mắn có thể tìm gặp ở một nhà sách cũ. Phải có cái duyên mới tìm đọc được một quyển sách các bạn ạ.
Tokyo, ngày 14/2/2016
Văn chương của Tolstoi bước vào tâm hồn mình khi nó hãy còn non trẻ như một búp măng nên cũng thật dễ hiểu là nó đã để lại cho mình biết bao ấn tượng sâu sắc và đẹp đẽ. Mình thích đọc Tolstoi vì văn của ông sâu sắc, chân thực, có gì đó mâu thuẫn và gần gũi với tâm hồn mình. Truyện ngắn đầu tiên trong tập truyện này cũng là truyện để lại cho mình nhiều ấn tượng nhất, có lẽ vì là truyện đầu tiên của Tolstoi mình được đọc, cũng là lần đầu tiên mình được đọc một thứ văn chương say đắm như vậy. Truyện có tên là “Những ghi chép ở Sevastopol”, là tổng hợp những quan sát và ghi chép của Tolstoi về đời sống quân ngũ của những người lính Nga trong cuộc chiến tranh Crimea. Qua truyện ngắn này người đọc sẽ cảm nhận được nỗi thống khổ của những người lính trong chiến tranh là như thế nào. Tolstoi viết truyện này theo dạng bút kí nên toàn bộ câu chuyện không có một nhân vật chính nào. “Trong câu chuyện của tôi không có ai là nhân vật chính cả, nhân vật chính duy nhất của tôi chính là sự thật”. Đó là câu kết của truyện mà mình vẫn còn nhớ. Truyện ngắn này có ảnh hưởng rất lớn với mình vì nó gây cho mình một cảm giác sợ hãi chiến tranh trong một thời gian dài và từ đó về sau mình luôn có một cái nhìn tỉnh táo về chiến tranh.
Còn rất nhiều truyện ngắn hay khác trong tập truyện này. Truyện nào cũng sâu sắc, cũng mâu thuẫn, cũng dằn xé tâm lý ghê gớm. Có lẽ không có truyện nào Tolstoi viết mà nhân vật không bị dằn xé tâm lý hết. Ví dụ như trong truyện “Cái chết của Ivan Ilyich”, nhân vật chính bị dằn xé tâm lý vì cảm giác bị những người thân trong gia đình bỏ rơi. Còn trong truyện “Đức cha Xerghi” thì nhân vật chính bị dằn xé giữa việc buông bỏ theo dục vọng hay giữ gìn đ��c tin. Trong truyện “Buổi sáng của một trang chủ”, nhân vật chính là một trang chủ tốt bụng muốn làm một điều tốt lành cho những nông nô của mình nhưng cái thiện ý của anh ta lại không được các nông nô đón nhận; không phải lúc nào con người muốn làm điều tốt cho người khác cũng phù hợp là vậy đó.
Mình đọc tập truyện này của Tolstoi chắc cũng hai lần. Sau đó còn đem cho thầy mình mượn đọc và giới thiệu cho thằng bạn mua một cuốn giống mình. Tập truyện của Tolstoi có lẽ là tập truyện thực sự hay đầu tiên mà mình được đọc và là tập truyện để lại cho mình nhiều cảm xúc nhất. Nếu bạn nào cũng yêu thích văn chương Nga thì hãy một lần tìm đọc Tolstoi. Các bạn sẽ không cảm thấy hối tiếc đâu. Cuốn sách mình giới thiệu có lẽ bây giờ rất khó tìm. Nếu bạn nào may mắn có thể tìm gặp ở một nhà sách cũ. Phải có cái duyên mới tìm đọc được một quyển sách các bạn ạ.
Tokyo, ngày 14/2/2016
March 9, 2021
All enjoyable stories of Leo Tolstoy at once. Teaches a lot about Russia and its folk tales.
The language is simple, making it an easy read. Every story has a message, quirky characters and some new aspect of man's perception of God.
The language is simple, making it an easy read. Every story has a message, quirky characters and some new aspect of man's perception of God.
August 3, 2018
Một bản in nhiều tuổi hơn người đang đọc nó.
Tôi bắt đầu đọc truyện của Lev Tolstoy khi 12 tuổi, và bị ám ảnh bởi cuộc đấu tranh tư tưởng của nhà văn quý tộc ấy đến khi trưởng thành, mà có lẽ suốt cả cuộc đời. Mục đích của cuộc sống là gì, đạo đức và lý tưởng có phải là điều quan trọng nhất? Đó đã là câu hỏi cho nhiều thế hệ và sẽ còn tiếp diễn.
Kể từ sau Liên Xô sụp đổ, không còn nhiều những tác phẩm tiếng Nga được dịch và xuất bản. Kho sách văn học Nga mỗi ngày cũ mòn mà khó thay thế. Nhưng mỗi lần mở những trang sách ố vàng và đọc từng lời văn, thiên nhiên và con người Nga lại sống động, đặc biệt, không thể trộn lẫn.
Tôi bắt đầu đọc truyện của Lev Tolstoy khi 12 tuổi, và bị ám ảnh bởi cuộc đấu tranh tư tưởng của nhà văn quý tộc ấy đến khi trưởng thành, mà có lẽ suốt cả cuộc đời. Mục đích của cuộc sống là gì, đạo đức và lý tưởng có phải là điều quan trọng nhất? Đó đã là câu hỏi cho nhiều thế hệ và sẽ còn tiếp diễn.
Kể từ sau Liên Xô sụp đổ, không còn nhiều những tác phẩm tiếng Nga được dịch và xuất bản. Kho sách văn học Nga mỗi ngày cũ mòn mà khó thay thế. Nhưng mỗi lần mở những trang sách ố vàng và đọc từng lời văn, thiên nhiên và con người Nga lại sống động, đặc biệt, không thể trộn lẫn.
February 10, 2016
collection of short stories! I am a huge fan of short fiction and loved Leo Tolstoy's way of narration! what a meaningful writings , this book is full of good fiction with thoughtful writing say it a philosophy ! Few of the stories I read in school time as a part of English literature. Never mind I can read them many times
one of my favourite is "God sees the truth but waits" "A spark neglected burns the house" " Ivan the fool" "how much land does a man need" and " the God son" almost I loved all the stories! they were kind of favourite bed time stories. I would definitely recommend everyone to try Tolstoy's fiction !
one of my favourite is "God sees the truth but waits" "A spark neglected burns the house" " Ivan the fool" "how much land does a man need" and " the God son" almost I loved all the stories! they were kind of favourite bed time stories. I would definitely recommend everyone to try Tolstoy's fiction !
September 25, 2020
Ivan the Fool is my favourite from this book 📖.
The thing I love about Tolstoy's writing is a simple & effective way to communicate a strong message. Every short story resonates with a core message and way one should lead their life. I will not spill the beans but yes one story a day will keep you refreshed and will continue to ignite a spark for learning something curious each day.
The thing I love about Tolstoy's writing is a simple & effective way to communicate a strong message. Every short story resonates with a core message and way one should lead their life. I will not spill the beans but yes one story a day will keep you refreshed and will continue to ignite a spark for learning something curious each day.
December 26, 2018
Awesome, "what men live by" is best short story I have ever read
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September 7, 2021Majority of the stories compiled in this edition have a distinctively Christian theme with the glorification of the simplest life (often at the verge of poverty) and lionization of hard manual labour. 'The meek shall inherit the earth' reverberates throughout these tales in numerous instances of industrious simpletons overcoming wily schemers through their ridiculously guileless grit. But despite the content being inspired heavily from theology, the book is quite readable and even enjoyable in parts.
Gandhi was a great admirer of Leo Tolstoy and his philosophy is immensely reflective of this. Upon reading this book I could join the dots for myself and identify which of Gandhi's political thoughts are directly influenced by Tolstoy. Interestingly the public at large is unaware of this fact and mistakenly believes Gandhi's ideology to be derived from Bhagavad Gita or Hinduism in general. As it turns out it is more Christian than Hindu.
Intriguingly there is no mention of Jesus Christ in any of the stories. There are lots of saintly men at various stages of piousness, references to angels aplenty and multiple appearances of Satan himself. Even God features in a short but disguised part. But no Jesus. There are direct quotations from the Bible but not even the slightest mention even in passing of the son of God. Given that all Christian activity where I am from is accompanied by frequent evocations of his name, I was surprised to find Jesus missing in these pages.
Gandhi was a great admirer of Leo Tolstoy and his philosophy is immensely reflective of this. Upon reading this book I could join the dots for myself and identify which of Gandhi's political thoughts are directly influenced by Tolstoy. Interestingly the public at large is unaware of this fact and mistakenly believes Gandhi's ideology to be derived from Bhagavad Gita or Hinduism in general. As it turns out it is more Christian than Hindu.
Intriguingly there is no mention of Jesus Christ in any of the stories. There are lots of saintly men at various stages of piousness, references to angels aplenty and multiple appearances of Satan himself. Even God features in a short but disguised part. But no Jesus. There are direct quotations from the Bible but not even the slightest mention even in passing of the son of God. Given that all Christian activity where I am from is accompanied by frequent evocations of his name, I was surprised to find Jesus missing in these pages.
July 6, 2020
Not even once I got bored reading this book. Felt very positive and it increased my faith in god and humanity. Stories are not very lengthy and I can literally picture the era when author wrote these stories. I wish to read more of Leo Tolstoy!
September 14, 2017
Quite indeed the greatest short stories of all times from the iconic story-teller, moralist, and philosophist Leo Tolstoy.
September 19, 2018
Great fictional stories with profound philosophical lessons. Favorites: "Ivan the fool", "How much land does a man need".
Recommended.
Recommended.
April 5, 2021
Short stories by Tolstoy was a great book which includes motivational and inspirational stories. Simply explained with practical examples most of them from old era.
May 22, 2022
I consider Leo Tolstoy one of the greatest writers of all time. Although I'm familiar with his novels, this is the first time I've read his short stories. And they were superb. With a simple writing style, interesting characters, daunting adventures, humor, all with a depth to them that cover so many human emotions and layers of meaning. There's something so authentic, so unpretentious about Tolstoy's writing; it certainly makes for captivating reading.
"How Much Land Does A Man Need" addresses greed and what is enough. "Ivan the Fool" and the "Prisoner of the Caucasus," "The Imp and The Crust" were all page turners.
My favorite story by far was "A Spark Neglected Burns Down the House." Here we have two neighbors feuding and taking revenge on one another, the anger worsening daily. The grandfather calls his son in and says, "Malice blinds you. Others' sins are before your eyes, but your own are behind your back."
How true. Thus, are Tolstoy's folk tales, fables and stories, like parables, show the power of forgiveness, harmony, love for your neighbors, friends, honesty, and living a simple life close to the earth, while staying close to God who is never far away. I plan on reading many more of the short works of Tolstoy! Highly recommended!
"How Much Land Does A Man Need" addresses greed and what is enough. "Ivan the Fool" and the "Prisoner of the Caucasus," "The Imp and The Crust" were all page turners.
My favorite story by far was "A Spark Neglected Burns Down the House." Here we have two neighbors feuding and taking revenge on one another, the anger worsening daily. The grandfather calls his son in and says, "Malice blinds you. Others' sins are before your eyes, but your own are behind your back."
How true. Thus, are Tolstoy's folk tales, fables and stories, like parables, show the power of forgiveness, harmony, love for your neighbors, friends, honesty, and living a simple life close to the earth, while staying close to God who is never far away. I plan on reading many more of the short works of Tolstoy! Highly recommended!
August 15, 2021
First readings of Tolstoy.
Very religious, sometimes even preachy. But I do believe he has the right idea about religion. It's all about love. God is found in the act of love. If I ever became religious again I would probably need to keep that in mind...
At his best he lives up to his legendary fame, "How Much Land Does a Man Need?" and "What Men Live By" are easily some of the most beautiful short fiction I've read in a while.
At his worst he's still quite entertaining, and rich in both style and substance, but I rather not come back to the exception (that is, hollow enjoyment, or "hollow amazement". I did not always feel enriched in the reading).
(btw, I haven't read all of these short stories. I don't know which ones were and weren't included in my edition that did appear here, but you get the idea. I read some of his stories).
Very religious, sometimes even preachy. But I do believe he has the right idea about religion. It's all about love. God is found in the act of love. If I ever became religious again I would probably need to keep that in mind...
At his best he lives up to his legendary fame, "How Much Land Does a Man Need?" and "What Men Live By" are easily some of the most beautiful short fiction I've read in a while.
At his worst he's still quite entertaining, and rich in both style and substance, but I rather not come back to the exception (that is, hollow enjoyment, or "hollow amazement". I did not always feel enriched in the reading).
(btw, I haven't read all of these short stories. I don't know which ones were and weren't included in my edition that did appear here, but you get the idea. I read some of his stories).
November 8, 2022
Most of the stories are based on Christianity. Many quotes mentioned are from Bible. Yet, the stories are enlightening. Should be a part of school education.
December 8, 2019
A decent collection of short stories, easy read.
May 14, 2020
Really Profound!! I think the stories will be relevant even after a century.
Read
May 15, 2021Worth a re-read!
Prescribe these stories to school literature, but please dear teachers, do not bore us with an over-analysis of everything!
Prescribe these stories to school literature, but please dear teachers, do not bore us with an over-analysis of everything!
July 3, 2023
This story collection was great!!Leo Tolstoy is so talented.
My favourite stories :
A spark neglected burns the house
Prisoner of the Caucausus
My dreams
God sees the truth but waits
The Coffee house of surat
Two Old Men
The Godson
My favourite stories :
A spark neglected burns the house
Prisoner of the Caucausus
My dreams
God sees the truth but waits
The Coffee house of surat
Two Old Men
The Godson
August 17, 2022
I had read A SWIM IN A POND IN THE RAIN by George Saunders a few months ago. George Saunders' book introduced me to a couple of Tolstoy works and it inspired me to buy this book. I like short stories and I liked the ability to have this as a stand-by book to read over a few months for when I was in the mood for a short story. Tolstoy stories can be a tad sad but also quite profound. No one really writes like Tolstoy anymore, so it is thought provoking for me. Tolstoy writes by giving one profound lessons on how to live a better life. My personal favorite story by Tolstoy in this book was WHAT MEN LIVE BY.
Here are some of the lines that captured me from some of the stories in this classic book of short stories:
THE WOOD-CUTTING EXPEDITION
I threw myself without undressing, down on my bed...I rolled myself up and fell into that peculiarly deep and heavy sleep which one obtains at the moment of tumult and disquietude on the eve of a great peril.
In RUSSIA there are three predominating types of soldiers:
The obedient;
The domineering or dictatorial and
The desperate.
The type more frequently encountered than the rest is that of the obedient. The pathetic obedient is a certain invincible indifference and disdain of all the turns of fortune which may overtake him. The drunken obedient is a mild poetical tendency and sensitiveness. The energetic obedient is his limitation in intellectual faculties, united with an endless assiduity and fervor.
I was already beginning to dream of the cabbage-soup.
“If there were only some possibilities of exchanging this life for any sort of lie, no matter how tame and mean, but free from dancer and service, I would not hesitate a minute.”
And so, what is there for me in Russia? It’s all the same, you’ll get shot here sooner or later.
THE SNOWSTORM
“Why are you going round and round like a fool? Go by the snow; take the lee of it, and you’ll come out all right!”
“Go on as long as the horses can drag us! Never fear; we shan’t freeze to death! Go on, I say!”
Recollections and ideas alternated with the most strenuous rapidity in my imagination.
WHERE LOVE IS, THERE GOD IS ALSO
At times he would become so absorbed in reading that all the kerosene in the lamp would burn out, and still, he could not tear himself away.
A SPARK NEGLECTED BURNS THE HOUSE
If you get a hard word from any one, keep silent, and his own conscience will accuse him.
“Hide another man’s sin, and God will forgive two of yours!”
WHAT MEN LIVE BY (Based on the Christian commandment of LOVING ALL PEOPLE EQUALLY—St. Michael The Archange)
“Don’t wag your tongue without reason.”
“We give, but why does nobody give us anything?”
“Men who want to learn can learn anything.”
“Living as he does, how should he not grow strong? Death itself can’t touch such a rock as that.”
“Tell me, Michael, why does your face shine so, and why did you smile those three times?”
Learn what dwells in man, What is not given to man, and What men live by.
...in Man dwells LOVE!
It is not given to man to know his own needs.
“All men live not by care for themselves but by love.”
All men live not by the thought they spend on their own welfare, but because love exists in man.
“It seems to men that they live by care for themselves, in truth it is love alone by which they live.”
TWO OLD MEN
“Somehow when one begins a thing one likes to see it done.”
“What right have I to judge a man?”
‘Much water flows away in a year’, the proverb says. It takes a lifetime to build up a homestead, but not long to ruin it.
Show love and do good to others.
ILYAS
“Fortune turns like a wheel. One man it lifts, another it sets down!”
“For half a century we sought for happiness, and as long as we were rich, we never found it. Now that we have nothing left, and have taken services as laborers, we have found such happiness that we want nothing better.”
IVAN THE FOOL
“Where the needles goes there goes the thread also.”
KHOLSTOMIR
Nothing seemed sweet to me; I became self-absorbed, and began to be pensive. At first, I felt indifferent to everything. I ceased even to eat, to drink, and to run; and all thought of sprightly sport was gone. Then it nevermore came into mind to kick up my heels, to roll over, to whinny, without bringing up the terrible question--’Why? For what purpose?’ And my vigor died away.
My horse, his horse...At that time I could not understand at all that it meant that hey considered ME the property of a man. To say MY HORSE in reference to me, a live horse, seemed to me as strange as to say, my earth, my atmosphere, my water.
Men rule in life, not by deeds, but by words. They love not so much the possibility of doing or not doing anything, as the possibility of talking about different objects in words agreed upon between them. Such words, considered very important among them, are the words, MY, MINE, OURS, which they employ for various things, beings, and objects; even for the earth, people, and horses.
MY HOUSE, MY SHOP...” There are people who call LAND theirs...”
Men struggle in life not to do what they consider good, but to be possessors of what they call their own.
Everything breathed of newness, luxury, and rareness. Everything was extremely good; but it all bore a peculiar impress of profusion, wealth, and an absence of intellectual interests.
HOW MUCH LAND DOES A MAN NEED?
The sun waits for no man, and it was sinking lower and lower.
THE YOUNG TSAR
It has been proved conclusively that alcohol does no good in any case, but invariably does harm, and it has been demonstrated to be an absolute poison. Then, ninety-nine percent of the crimes in the world are committed thorough its influence.
FATHER SERGIUS
Apart from his main vocation...he always set himself some particular aim, and however unimportant it was, devoted himself completely to it and lived for it until it was accomplished. And as soon as it was attained another aim would immediately present itself, replacing its predecessor. This passion...for accomplishing something in order to distinguish himself, filled his life.
ESARHADDON, KIND OF ASSYRIA
By doing evil to others you have done it to yourself also. You can improve life in yourself by destroying the barriers that divide your life from that of others, and by considering others as yourself, and loving them.
THREE QUESTIONS
Remember...there is only one time that is important: NOW! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power.
Here are some of the lines that captured me from some of the stories in this classic book of short stories:
THE WOOD-CUTTING EXPEDITION
I threw myself without undressing, down on my bed...I rolled myself up and fell into that peculiarly deep and heavy sleep which one obtains at the moment of tumult and disquietude on the eve of a great peril.
In RUSSIA there are three predominating types of soldiers:
The obedient;
The domineering or dictatorial and
The desperate.
The type more frequently encountered than the rest is that of the obedient. The pathetic obedient is a certain invincible indifference and disdain of all the turns of fortune which may overtake him. The drunken obedient is a mild poetical tendency and sensitiveness. The energetic obedient is his limitation in intellectual faculties, united with an endless assiduity and fervor.
I was already beginning to dream of the cabbage-soup.
“If there were only some possibilities of exchanging this life for any sort of lie, no matter how tame and mean, but free from dancer and service, I would not hesitate a minute.”
And so, what is there for me in Russia? It’s all the same, you’ll get shot here sooner or later.
THE SNOWSTORM
“Why are you going round and round like a fool? Go by the snow; take the lee of it, and you’ll come out all right!”
“Go on as long as the horses can drag us! Never fear; we shan’t freeze to death! Go on, I say!”
Recollections and ideas alternated with the most strenuous rapidity in my imagination.
WHERE LOVE IS, THERE GOD IS ALSO
At times he would become so absorbed in reading that all the kerosene in the lamp would burn out, and still, he could not tear himself away.
A SPARK NEGLECTED BURNS THE HOUSE
If you get a hard word from any one, keep silent, and his own conscience will accuse him.
“Hide another man’s sin, and God will forgive two of yours!”
WHAT MEN LIVE BY (Based on the Christian commandment of LOVING ALL PEOPLE EQUALLY—St. Michael The Archange)
“Don’t wag your tongue without reason.”
“We give, but why does nobody give us anything?”
“Men who want to learn can learn anything.”
“Living as he does, how should he not grow strong? Death itself can’t touch such a rock as that.”
“Tell me, Michael, why does your face shine so, and why did you smile those three times?”
Learn what dwells in man, What is not given to man, and What men live by.
...in Man dwells LOVE!
It is not given to man to know his own needs.
“All men live not by care for themselves but by love.”
All men live not by the thought they spend on their own welfare, but because love exists in man.
“It seems to men that they live by care for themselves, in truth it is love alone by which they live.”
TWO OLD MEN
“Somehow when one begins a thing one likes to see it done.”
“What right have I to judge a man?”
‘Much water flows away in a year’, the proverb says. It takes a lifetime to build up a homestead, but not long to ruin it.
Show love and do good to others.
ILYAS
“Fortune turns like a wheel. One man it lifts, another it sets down!”
“For half a century we sought for happiness, and as long as we were rich, we never found it. Now that we have nothing left, and have taken services as laborers, we have found such happiness that we want nothing better.”
IVAN THE FOOL
“Where the needles goes there goes the thread also.”
KHOLSTOMIR
Nothing seemed sweet to me; I became self-absorbed, and began to be pensive. At first, I felt indifferent to everything. I ceased even to eat, to drink, and to run; and all thought of sprightly sport was gone. Then it nevermore came into mind to kick up my heels, to roll over, to whinny, without bringing up the terrible question--’Why? For what purpose?’ And my vigor died away.
My horse, his horse...At that time I could not understand at all that it meant that hey considered ME the property of a man. To say MY HORSE in reference to me, a live horse, seemed to me as strange as to say, my earth, my atmosphere, my water.
Men rule in life, not by deeds, but by words. They love not so much the possibility of doing or not doing anything, as the possibility of talking about different objects in words agreed upon between them. Such words, considered very important among them, are the words, MY, MINE, OURS, which they employ for various things, beings, and objects; even for the earth, people, and horses.
MY HOUSE, MY SHOP...” There are people who call LAND theirs...”
Men struggle in life not to do what they consider good, but to be possessors of what they call their own.
Everything breathed of newness, luxury, and rareness. Everything was extremely good; but it all bore a peculiar impress of profusion, wealth, and an absence of intellectual interests.
HOW MUCH LAND DOES A MAN NEED?
The sun waits for no man, and it was sinking lower and lower.
THE YOUNG TSAR
It has been proved conclusively that alcohol does no good in any case, but invariably does harm, and it has been demonstrated to be an absolute poison. Then, ninety-nine percent of the crimes in the world are committed thorough its influence.
FATHER SERGIUS
Apart from his main vocation...he always set himself some particular aim, and however unimportant it was, devoted himself completely to it and lived for it until it was accomplished. And as soon as it was attained another aim would immediately present itself, replacing its predecessor. This passion...for accomplishing something in order to distinguish himself, filled his life.
ESARHADDON, KIND OF ASSYRIA
By doing evil to others you have done it to yourself also. You can improve life in yourself by destroying the barriers that divide your life from that of others, and by considering others as yourself, and loving them.
THREE QUESTIONS
Remember...there is only one time that is important: NOW! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power.
April 26, 2020
Some stories that were memorable and taught some valuable life lessons-
1. How much land does a man need.
2. Essarhaddon, King of Assyria.
3. The Story of Ivan the Fool.
4. Three Questions.
5. God sees the truth, but waits.
One story was particularly funny - Too Dear!
All other stories failed to be memorable or too theist, being an atheist I couldn't care too much about those. Skipped last two stories for the same reason.
Looking forward to read his epics like War and Peace and Anna Karenina.
1. How much land does a man need.
2. Essarhaddon, King of Assyria.
3. The Story of Ivan the Fool.
4. Three Questions.
5. God sees the truth, but waits.
One story was particularly funny - Too Dear!
All other stories failed to be memorable or too theist, being an atheist I couldn't care too much about those. Skipped last two stories for the same reason.
Looking forward to read his epics like War and Peace and Anna Karenina.
July 13, 2018
A good collection of stories teaching good values for life.
Collection of stories written by leo Tolstoy.
It has some really good stories which teaches life lessons. The collection has different segments such as folk tales,fairy tale, short stories etc. It's a good book if u r looking for some nice stories.
Collection of stories written by leo Tolstoy.
It has some really good stories which teaches life lessons. The collection has different segments such as folk tales,fairy tale, short stories etc. It's a good book if u r looking for some nice stories.
July 24, 2017
The stories teach us the basic lessons of life and emphasizes on values which we should inculcate in ourselves and pass to the next generation. The tool is Christian ethics, but it is not hard to see that core human values transcend religion
July 2, 2018
Probably the greatest life messages/lessons by a human
Every story got it's own zeal , just read it without a second thought. If one consider to know how to live a life to be, then this is for you.
Every story got it's own zeal , just read it without a second thought. If one consider to know how to live a life to be, then this is for you.
September 14, 2014
:) :) worth a read but some stories are way out of their timeline
February 23, 2017
Nice short stories. A few stories are good reads for kids as well.
Most of the stories hover around the concept of doing benevolent things. Karma!!
Part ii of the book is a must read.
Most of the stories hover around the concept of doing benevolent things. Karma!!
Part ii of the book is a must read.
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