Besides, the conditions of life themselves have so changed now that what we call our country, what we are supposed to distinguish from everything else, has ceased to be something clearly defined, as it was with the ancients, where the men forming one country belonged to one nationality, one state, and one faith.
Where these words come from
- 95% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
- Christianity and Patriotism; source text line 14533; English translation: Leo Wiener
- Christianity and Patriotism; source text line 14533
More from Leo Tolstoy
See allThe strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience.
Leo TolstoyThere is only one enduring happiness in life — to live for others.
Leo TolstoyIn countries in which there is a state religion, the children are taught the senseless blasphemies of ecclesiastical catechisms, in which the necessity of obeying the powers is pointed out; in republican governments they are taught the savage superstition of patriotism, and the same imaginary obligation of obeying the authorities.
Leo TolstoyAt a more advanced age, this hypnotization is continued by encouraging the religious and the patriotic superstitions.
Leo TolstoyWhy do free, wealthy men consider it an honour to perform lackeys' duties to crowned heads, why do they humble themselves, and flatter them, and pretend that they believe in the special grandeur of these persons?
Leo TolstoyThink of your duties,--not of your imaginary duties as a landowner to your estate, of a merchant to your capital, of an emperor, minister, official to the state,--but of those real duties of yours, which result from your real condition of existence, which is called into life and is endowed with reason and love.
Leo Tolstoy
Leo TolstoyThere is only one enduring happiness in life — to live for others.
Leo TolstoyIn countries in which there is a state religion, the children are taught the senseless blasphemies of ecclesiastical catechisms, in which the necessity of obeying the powers is pointed out; in republican governments they are taught the savage superstition of patriotism, and the same imaginary obligation of obeying the authorities.
Leo TolstoyAt a more advanced age, this hypnotization is continued by encouraging the religious and the patriotic superstitions.
Leo TolstoyWhy do free, wealthy men consider it an honour to perform lackeys' duties to crowned heads, why do they humble themselves, and flatter them, and pretend that they believe in the special grandeur of these persons?
Leo TolstoyThink of your duties,--not of your imaginary duties as a landowner to your estate, of a merchant to your capital, of an emperor, minister, official to the state,--but of those real duties of yours, which result from your real condition of existence, which is called into life and is endowed with reason and love.
Leo TolstoyMore inspiration
See allYou gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.
Eleanor RooseveltNo one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Eleanor RooseveltLittle strokes fell great oaks.
Benjamin FranklinEnergy and persistence conquer all things.
Benjamin FranklinWell done is better than well said.
Benjamin FranklinIf there is no struggle, there is no progress.
Frederick Douglass
Eleanor RooseveltNo one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Eleanor RooseveltLittle strokes fell great oaks.
Benjamin FranklinEnergy and persistence conquer all things.
Benjamin FranklinWell done is better than well said.
Benjamin FranklinIf there is no struggle, there is no progress.
Frederick Douglass