A Bit of Wisdom from Leo Tolstoy on His Birthday

“Faith is the sense of life, that sense by virtue of which man does not destroy himself, but continues to live on. It is the force whereby we live.” ~ Leo Tolstoy 9 September 1828 – 20 November 1910

“I sit on a man’s back, choking him and making him carry me, and yet assure myself and others that I am very sorry for him and wish to ease his lot by all possible means – except by getting off his back.” ~ Leo Tolstoy 9 September 1828 – 20 November 1910

“We lost because we told ourselves we lost.” ~ Leo Tolstoy 9 September 1828 – 20 November 1910

“Government is an association of men who do violence to the rest of us.” ~ Leo Tolstoy 9 September 1828 – 20 November 1910

“War on the other hand is such a terrible thing, that no man, especially a Christian man, has the right to assume the responsibility of starting it.” ~ Leo Tolstoy 9 September 1828 – 20 November 1910