Hatred Quote by Leo Tolstoy
““No one spoke of hatred of the Russians. the feeling experienced by all the Chechens, from the youngest to the oldest, was stronger than hate. It was not hatred, for they did not regard those Russian dogs as human beings, but it was such repulsion, disgust, and perplexity at the senseless cruelty of these creatures, that the desire to exterminate them — like the desire to exterminate rats, poisonous spiders, or wolves — was as natural an instinct as that of self-preservation.””
About This Quote
Source Book: War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy, 1869
The Chechen people felt a visceral, animalistic revulsion toward Russians, equating them with dangerous pests, driven by self‑preservation instincts.
In simple terms: Chechens saw Russians as dangerous pests, feeling instinctive revulsion.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how dehumanizing language fuels extreme hostility.
Themes
war
dehumanization
survival
ethnic conflict
Mood
angry
somber
reflective
Type
political
historical
ethical
When to use this quote
- military occupation
- interethnic tension
- propaganda
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
psychology of hatred
group identity
instinctual fear
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms turn fear into dehumanization?
- How can societies prevent animalistic perceptions of enemies?
A Different Perspective
Such extreme dehumanization can justify atrocities and hinder reconciliation.
