There is only one enduring happiness in life — to live for others.
In plain words
The happiness that lasts comes from helping other people.
Where these words come from
- 78% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
- Family Happiness (1859), novella.
- 1859
More from Leo Tolstoy
See allThe strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience.
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 TolstoyNothing, on the contrary, proves the absence of patriotism in the masses with such obviousness as those tense efforts which now are made by the governments and the ruling classes for the artificial excitation of patriotism, and the insignificant results which are obtained in spite of all the efforts.Leo Tolstoy
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 TolstoyNothing, on the contrary, proves the absence of patriotism in the masses with such obviousness as those tense efforts which now are made by the governments and the ruling classes for the artificial excitation of patriotism, and the insignificant results which are obtained in spite of all the efforts.Leo TolstoyMore on kindness
Treat all men alike. Give them all the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow.
Chief JosephNo one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it for any one else.
Charles DickensAmong individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace.
Benito JuárezAs to diseases, make a habit of two things — to help, or at least, to do no harm.
HippocratesThe quality of mercy is not strain'd, it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven.
William ShakespeareMen exist for the sake of one another. Teach them then, or bear with them.
Marcus Aurelius
Chief JosephNo one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it for any one else.Charles DickensAmong individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace.Benito JuárezAs to diseases, make a habit of two things — to help, or at least, to do no harm.HippocratesThe quality of mercy is not strain'd, it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven.William ShakespeareMen exist for the sake of one another. Teach them then, or bear with them.Marcus Aurelius