A man must be independent; he has his masculine interests.
 Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina (1877). copy citation

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Author Leo Tolstoy
Source Anna Karenina
Topic interest
Date 1877
Language English
Reference
Note Translated by Constance Garnett
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1399/1399-h/1399-h.htm

Context

“I heard how it’s a question of the greatest consequence, whether or not you’re to be away for a couple of days’ shooting. That’s all very well as an idyllic episode, but for your whole life that won’t answer. A man must be independent; he has his masculine interests. A man has to be manly,” said Oblonsky, opening the door. “In what way? To go running after servant girls?” said Levin. “Why not, if it amuses him? Ça ne tire pas à conséquence. It won’t do my wife any harm, and it’ll amuse me.” source