Ten years Quote by Leo Tolstoy
““I cannot think of those years without horror, loathing and heartache. I killed men in war and challenged men to duels in order to kill them. I lost at cards, consumed the labour of the peasants, sentenced them to punishments, lived loosely, and deceived people. Lying, robbery, adultery of all kinds, drunkenness, violence, murder--there was no crime I did not commit, and in spite of that people praised my conduct and my contemporaries considered and consider me to be a comparatively moral man. So I lived for ten years. During that time I began to write from vanity, covetousness, and pride. In my writings I did the same as in my life. to get fame and money, for the sake of which I wrote, it was necessary to hide the good and to display the evil. and I did so. How often in my writings I contrived to hide under the guise of indifference, or even of banter, those strivings of mine towards goodness which gave meaning to my life! And I succeeded in this and was praised.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: War and Peace, 1869
The narrator confesses a life of moral contradictions, committing crimes yet being praised, and using writing to mask virtue while showcasing vice.
In simple terms: A man lives badly yet is praised, and hides his goodness in his work.
Recognize and own your true motives.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- creative writing
- personal reflection
- public image
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile public praise with private guilt?
- What motivates you to hide your good deeds?
Even praised individuals may conceal virtue behind vice.