T. R. Ybarra

“ I ask that the journal of my unmarried life by destroyed, after whatever is of value has been extracted from it. LIkewise, as to my diary after marriage, I ask that whatever might be disagreeable to any one be destroyed. ”

“ They are all jumbled together and have no continuity. For this reason they give to readers a rather jerky impression. But this is a minor matter. Disjointed though they are, an image leaps from them of a Tolstoy going on his way in absolute sincerity and earnestness of purpose, dwelling in a world far above that of the average man, quite as indifferent to the stings and arrows of everyday life as to its petty rewards.
Writing in 1868 to Chertkov, who wanted to become an author, Tolstoy said
Don't take up that occupation. ”

“ In order to assist Birukov in his task, Chertkov, the intimate friend of Tolstoy, to whom the latter entrusted his private papers at the time of his death, has allowed the biographer full use of these papers. The excerpts from Tolstoy's letters and diary, which - together with the text of his will - have just been printed in Paris, have been utilized by Birukov in preparing Volume III. of his biography of Tolstoy. ”

“ I have gone the road of the writer, and - without mentioning those who write entirely for renown and money - even the sincerest writers, in aaddtion to the necessity for expressing themselves, in addition to the desire of doing good, seek fame and money. ”