Government service Quote by Leo Tolstoy
““Sometimes he remembered having heard how soldiers under fire in the trenches, and having nothing to do, try hard to find some occupation the more easily to bear the danger. It seemed to Pierre that all men were like those soldiers, seeking refuge from life: some in ambition, some in cards, some in framing laws, some in women, some in playthings, some in horses, some in politics, some in sport, some in wine, and some in government service. 'Nothing is without consequence, and nothing is important: it's all the same in the end. The thing to do is to save myself from it all as best I can,' thought Pierre. Not to see IT, that terrible IT.””
About This Quote
Pierre observes that people seek various distractions—ambition, games, law, love, etc.—to avoid confronting life's inherent emptiness, concluding that all pursuits are ultimately meaningless.
In simple terms: People use many pursuits to avoid life's emptiness.
Key Takeaway
Seek authentic purpose beyond distractions.
Themes
existentialism
distraction
meaning
avoidance
nihilism
Mood
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
existential
When to use this quote
- career choices
- political involvement
- recreational hobbies
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
absurdism
self‑preservation
existential crisis
Questions to Reflect On
- What truly gives your life meaning?
- Can avoidance ever be fully overcome?
A Different Perspective
The search for meaning may lead to deeper existential dread.
