Art Quote by Leo Tolstoy
““And in spite of the fact that science, art, and politics had no special interest for him, he firmly held those views on all these subjects which were held by the majority and by his paper, and he only changed them when the majority changed them—or, more strictly speaking, he did not change them, but they imperceptibly changed of themselves within him.””
About This Quote
Source Book: War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy, 1869
He adopts popular opinions and only shifts them when society does, showing conformity and subtle internal change.
In simple terms: He follows the crowd and only changes when the crowd changes.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how social pressure shapes beliefs.
Themes
conformity
social influence
identity
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- organizational culture
- personal belief formation
Key Concepts
social psychology
group dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you question majority opinions?
- How do you adapt when societal norms shift?
A Different Perspective
He may resist critical thinking, clinging to majority views.
![“Vulnerable, like all men, to the temptations of arrogance, of which intellectual pride is the worst, he [ the scientist ] must nevertheless remain sincere and modest, if only because his studies constantly bring home to him that, compared with the gigantic aims of science, his own contribution, no…” quote by Louis de Broglie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3a4/louis-de-broglie-37016_aim_vulnerable-like-all-men-to-the-temptatio_2796335.jpg)
