“ I lived for others, and not almost, but quite, ruined my life. And I have become calmer since I began to live only for myself. ”
Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace (1869). copy citation
| Author | Leo Tolstoy |
|---|---|
| Source | War and Peace |
| Topic | others individualism self |
| 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
“«Perhaps you are right for yourself,» he added after a short pause, «but everyone lives in his own way. You lived for yourself and say you nearly ruined your life and only found happiness when you began living for others. I experienced just the reverse. I lived for glory.—And after all what is glory? The same love of others, a desire to do something for them, a desire for their approval.—So I lived for others, and not almost, but quite, ruined my life. And I have become calmer since I began to live only for myself.»
«But what do you mean by living only for yourself?» asked Pierre, growing excited. «What about your son, your sister, and your father?»
«But that's just the same as myself—they are not others,» explained Prince Andrew.” source
«But what do you mean by living only for yourself?» asked Pierre, growing excited. «What about your son, your sister, and your father?»
«But that's just the same as myself—they are not others,» explained Prince Andrew.” source
Meaning and analysis
