To live only so as not to do evil and not to have to repent is not enough. I lived like that, I lived for myself and ruined my life.
 Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace (1869). copy citation

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Author Leo Tolstoy
Source War and Peace
Topic evil life
Date 1869
Language English
Reference
Note Translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2600/2600-h/2600-h.htm

Context

“The only good is the absence of those evils. To live for myself avoiding those two evils is my whole philosophy now. ” “ And love of one’s neighbor, and self-sacrifice? ” began Pierre. “ No, I can’t agree with you! To live only so as not to do evil and not to have to repent is not enough. I lived like that, I lived for myself and ruined my life. And only now when I am living, or at least trying ” (Pierre’s modesty made him correct himself) “ to live for others, only now have I understood all the happiness of life. No, I shall not agree with you, and you do not really believe what you are saying. ”
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