Children Quote by Leo Tolstoy
“Where did I get it from? Was it by reason that I attained to the knowledge that I must love my neighbour and not throttle him? They told me so when I was a child, and I gladly believed it, because they told me what was already in my soul. But who discovered it? Not reason! Reason has discovered the struggle for existence and the law that I must throttle all those who hinder the satisfaction of my desires. That is the deduction reason makes. But the law of loving others could not be discovered by reason, because it is unreasonable.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: War and Peace, 1869
Love for others is a moral intuition not derived from reason; reason justifies self‑interest and conflict.
In simple terms: Moral love comes from intuition, not logic.
Key Takeaway
Trust your inner sense of compassion.
Themes
morality
intuition
reason
Mood
contemplative
philosophical
Type
ethical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- community service
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
ethical intuition
humanism
Questions to Reflect On
- What inner feelings guide your actions?
- How do you reconcile reason with compassion?
A Different Perspective
Reason can also guide moral decisions.
